H-1B Cap
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USCIS Announces H-1B Cap Registration Period for FY 2026

Maggio Kattar

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the initial registration period for the FY 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon ET on March 7, 2025, and close at noon ET on March 24, 2025. During this period, employers must register each beneficiary through their USCIS online account and pay the $215 registration fee.

As in previous years, the H-1B cap is set at 65,000 visas for the regular cap, with an additional 20,000 visas available under the U.S. Master’s Cap for individuals holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. Due to high demand, USCIS will conduct a lottery if the number of registrations exceeds available visas.

Employers whose registrations are selected will be eligible to file H-1B petitions during the anticipated filing period from April 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025, for employment beginning on or after October 1, 2025. Registrations that are not initially selected will remain in the system as “Submitted” and may be considered in subsequent selection rounds if additional H-1B visa slots become available.

If your company plans to sponsor H-1B employees for FY 2026, we strongly encourage early preparation to ensure a smooth registration process. Please reach out to our office for guidance on next steps.