USCIS Announces the Registration Period for H-1B Visas for FY 2026
The H-1B Visa program in the United States is meant to give foreign workers that have a particular set of skills that fill specialty occupations the ability to come to the U.S. and work. Engineers, architects, or medical professionals are a few examples of the types of professional positions that may warrant a H-1B Visa. Since H-1B Visas are limited, each year a registration period for the Visa is announced.
There are built-in protections for U.S. workers that allow the H-1B program to exist without adversely affecting working citizens in the country. For instance, an employer of an H-1B Visa holder must confirm to the Department of Labor that they will pay nonimmigrant workers the same wages that they would pay a citizen worker with the same qualifications and experience or the prevailing wage the position demands-whichever is greater.
If you have a specialty skill set that would qualify you to come to the United States under the H-1B Visa program and have questions about the process or would like assistance, you are welcome to discuss your case with an Atlanta employment-based immigration attorney at Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc.
The 2026 H-1B Visa Season Opening Soon
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the registration period for FY 2026 H-1B Visas to open at noon Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Friday, March, 7, 2025. Registration will close at noon EST on Monday, March 24, 2025.
In addition to announcing the opening of registration, the USCIS also reported that registration fees will be increasing. When the H-1B cap registration period opens up, a USCIS online account is required for prospective petitioners and their representatives. The account allows for electronic registration of each beneficiary for the H-1B selection process. The H-1B cap registration fee was $10, but for FY 2026, it has increased significantly to $215 per registration. As a result, USCIS has informed employers that it is important to evaluate their hiring needs and determine their intentions for sponsoring foreign workers for the H-1B classification.
The regular cap for H-1B Visas is 65,000, with an additional 20,000 for the master’s cap. The Masters H-1B Visas are for individuals holding an advanced degree from a U.S. academic institution. Additionally, a lottery will be conducted when USCIS receives H-1B visa applications exceeding the number of available spots. There were 483,297 H-1B Visa registrations in FY2023, 780,884 in FY 2024, and 479,953 in FY 2025.
Employers interested in hiring H-1B Visa candidates should begin preparing early. Important actions to complete include drafting job descriptions, calculating appropriate and lawful salaries for employment, and identifying qualified candidates.
Speak with an Atlanta Immigration Attorney Today
You may be eligible for employment in the U.S. with an H-1B Visa. You have the right to work with an attorney if you would like assistance with the H-1B Visa process.
For a consultation to discuss your immigration needs and case, please call Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. at 404-523-3611. One of our Atlanta, GA, immigration lawyers is here to help.
Source:
dol.gov/agencies/whd/immigration/h1b
