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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Website
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Statistics
Annual Caps for H-1B for Fiscal Years: 85,000 visas
- 65,000 visas
- 20,000 visas for the master’s cap*
The master’s cap – individuals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
Topics
FY 2026 H-1B Program: New Rules & Updates
An overview of updates to the H-1B visa program, effective for Fiscal Year 2026.
Here is a list of updates we want to focus on:
- Increased lottery registration fee: $215 per registration.
- Online filing.
- Shift to a beneficiary-centric lottery selection process.
- USCIS will increase efforts to protect workers by monitoring employers more closely and cracking down on program misuse.
Increased Non-Refundable H-1B Registration Fee
The non-refundable H-1B registration fee to enter the lottery will increase from $10 to $215 per registration, starting with the FY 2026 H-1B cap season (which begins after March 2025).
USCIS reviewed the operational costs of the registration process over previous years and determined that the $10 fee no longer covers these expenses. This change reflects USCIS’s effort to recover more of the costs involved in managing the registration process.
Additionally, the daily credit card transaction limit for H-1B registrations and petitions submitted online has increased from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 for the FY 2026 cap season. This was made possible with the approval of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Online Filing for H-1B
To improve communication between USCIS and petitioners, starting April 1, 2025, USCIS will accept online filing of H-1B cap petitions and associated Forms I-907 (for premium processing) for those whose registrations have been selected.
Employers can now submit petitions electronically through the USCIS online portal. This change aims to streamline the application process, reduce the risk of errors, and, of course, minimize paperwork.
Beneficiary-Centric Lottery Selection Process
Starting with the FY 2026 cap season, USCIS has implemented a beneficiary-centric selection process for the H-1B cap. Previously, multiple employers could submit separate registrations for the same beneficiary, which often led to duplicate entries.
Under the New System:
Each beneficiary will be entered into the lottery only once, regardless of how many employers submit registrations on their behalf.
After selection, the beneficiary must choose only one employer to proceed with the petition.
New Rules to Prevent H-1B Program Abuse
USCIS has expanded its authority to prevent fraud and ensure the H-1B program is used properly. Key changes include:
Unannounced worksite visits to verify employees are working under the conditions specified in the petition.
Closer monitoring of the employer-employee relationship throughout the entire H-1B period.
Employers should expect more frequent Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS.
USCIS and the Department of Labor will collaborate more closely to enforce Labor Condition Application (LCA) compliance, with violations potentially leading to serious penalties or disqualification from the H-1B program.
Employers must now list every worksite where an H-1B employee will be working.
Always Stay in the Know! These changes are based on analyses of previous years of the H-1B Program. USCIS has implemented them in an effort to improve the system and ensure fair protection for all parties involved in the H-1B process.