With the H-1B cap initial registration period for FY 2026 officially announced, employers and immigration attorneys must gear up for the registration process. USCIS has introduced several changes and enhancements this year, making it crucial to stay updated and prepared.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through
- Key dates for H-1B registration
- USCIS account requirements
- New organizational account enhancements
- Beneficiary-centric selection process
- Payment updates
- How Imagility’s H-1B Lottery App can simplify the process
Let’s dive in!
Key Dates for the FY 2026 H-1B Cap Registration
- Registration Opens: March 7, 2025 (12:00 PM ET)
- Registration Closes: March 24, 2025 (12:00 PM ET)
- Selection Notifications Expected: By March 31, 2025
During this period, employers or their representatives must electronically register each H-1B beneficiary through the USCIS online system and pay the $215 registration fee per beneficiary.
Remember that, unlike previous years, registering early doesn’t increase your chances, all selections are made only after the March 24 deadline.
USCIS Online Account Requirements for Employers
To participate in the H-1B lottery, employers must have a USCIS online account. Here’s what you need to know
- If you’re a new employer, you must create an organizational account before March 7.
- If you had an H-1B registrant account for FY 2021–FY 2024 but didn’t use it in FY 2025, your existing account will convert to an organizational account once you log in.
- First-time users can create their USCIS online accounts anytime.
Employers and attorneys should set up their accounts in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process Continues
USCIS will continue using the beneficiary-centric selection process, which the agency introduced in FY 2025. Here are some highlights of the beneficiary-centric selection process.
- Instead of selecting registrations, USCIS now selects unique beneficiaries.
- Employers cannot increase a beneficiary’s chances by submitting multiple registrations for the same person through different employers.
- If the number of unique beneficiaries is less than the available cap, all properly submitted registrations will be selected.
Employers should carefully review beneficiary information before submitting in order to ensure compliance.
Key Enhancements for FY 2026 H-1B Filing
USCIS has rolled out several enhancements to organizational and representative accounts, making it easier for law firms and employers to manage registrations and petitions.
- Paralegals Can Now Work with Multiple Attorneys – Paralegals can now assist multiple legal representatives within one account, streamlining collaboration across clients.
- Easier Legal Representative-Paralegal Connections – Attorneys can now quickly add paralegals to client accounts, simplifying delegation.
- Pre-Populated I-129 Forms – Selected H-1B registrations will automatically populate certain fields in Form I-129, reducing manual data entry.
- Bulk Upload for Beneficiary Data – Employers and attorneys can prepare a spreadsheet of H-1B beneficiary data and bulk-upload it into the system, saving time.
These updates aim to reduce paperwork, speed up the filing process, and enhance efficiency for legal representatives and employers.
How Imagility’s H-1B Lottery App Can Help
Managing H-1B registrations, deadlines, and compliance can be overwhelming. That’s where Imagility’s H-1B Lottery App makes a difference.
With Imagility’s H-1B Lottery App, you can
- Simplify registration with automated workflows.
- Track multiple beneficiaries in one place.
- Ensure compliance with USCIS requirements.
- Get real-time updates on lottery results.
Stay ahead of the game and simplify your H-1B process today!
Try Imagility’s H-1B Lottery App
Final Thoughts
The FY 2026 H-1B cap registration brings both challenges and opportunities for employers and attorneys. With new enhancements, a beneficiary-centric selection process, and updated payment options, it’s essential to be well-prepared and proactive.
Key Takeaways
- Register between March 7 – March 24, 2025.
- Ensure you have a USCIS online account set up in advance.
- Be mindful of the beneficiary-centric selection process.
- Take advantage of USCIS’s new organizational account features.
- Use Imagility’s H-1B Lottery App to simplify the entire process.
Need help managing your H-1B registrations? Imagility is here to support you every step of the way!
