H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7

H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the H-1B registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2026, which will take place from March 7, 2025, to March 24, 2025. During this period, U.S. employers intending to sponsor foreign workers for an H-1B visa must register each candidate online through a USCIS account and submit a $215 registration fee per beneficiary.

This year, USCIS has implemented several enhancements to streamline the registration and selection process. Employers should review the latest updates to ensure compliance and maximize efficiency in submitting registrations.

What Employers Need to Know

1. USCIS Online Account Requirement

To participate in the H-1B registration process, employers must use the USCIS online system:

• Existing Accounts: If you had an H-1B registrant account for FY 2021–FY 2024 but did not use it for FY 2025, it will automatically convert into an organizational account upon login.
• First-Time Users: Employers and representatives who have never registered before can create a USCIS organizational account at any time.
• Organizational Account Enhancements: USCIS has introduced improvements allowing paralegals to work with multiple attorneys and making it easier for legal representatives to manage company accounts.

2. Submitting Registrations

• March 7, 2025, at noon Eastern: Employers and legal representatives may begin submitting registrations and making payments.
• Client and Beneficiary Details: Representatives can add clients at any time, but beneficiary details and registration fees must be completed within the open registration period.
• Selection Process: USCIS will use a beneficiary-centric selection process, meaning unique beneficiaries, rather than individual registrations, will be selected. This change aims to prevent multiple entries for the same beneficiary from increasing selection chances.
• Selection Notifications: Employers will be notified of selections by March 31, 2025, through their USCIS online accounts.

Changes for FY 2026

USCIS has introduced several enhancements to improve the registration process:

• Paralegal Access for Multiple Attorneys: Paralegals can now assist multiple legal representatives through a single account, improving collaboration. 
• Enhanced Legal Team Collaboration: Attorneys can add paralegals to their accounts more efficiently, allowing for smoother case management. 
• Pre-Filled Form Data: Some fields on Form I-129 will now auto-populate based on the selected registration, reducing manual input errors. 
• Spreadsheet Upload Feature: Employers can prepare and upload beneficiary information in bulk using a spreadsheet, expediting the registration process. 
• Increased Payment Flexibility: The U.S. Department of Treasury has temporarily raised the daily credit card transaction limit from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 to accommodate bulk registrations. Transactions exceeding this amount must be processed via Automated Clearing House (ACH).

Next Steps for Employers

To prepare for the upcoming H-1B registration period, employers should: 

• Ensure they have an active USCIS online account (or create an organizational account if needed). 
• Familiarize themselves with new system improvements that can simplify the registration process. 
• Plan for bulk registrations and determine the best payment method to avoid delays.
• Stay updated on additional USCIS announcements before the registration period opens.

By taking these steps in advance, employers can navigate the H-1B registration process efficiently and improve their chances of successfully securing an H-1B visa for their sponsored candidates.

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