The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the H1B Visa Lottery Dates for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This electronic registration period marks the crucial first step for U.S. employers seeking to sponsor highly skilled foreign workers under the H-1B cap. With high demand and a strict statutory limit on available visas, timely and accurate submission during this period is absolutely essential for both petitioners and beneficiaries.
The Critical Registration Window is Open March 7–24, 2025
The initial registration period for the FY 2026 H-1B Cap will open at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, March 7, 2025, and will strictly close at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on Monday, March 24, 2025. This narrow, two-week window is the only time employers and their representatives may register beneficiaries for the annual H-1B lottery selection.
The submission process is entirely electronic, requiring employers to create or utilize a USCIS organizational account. A non-refundable registration fee of $215 must be submitted for every beneficiary registration.
Important Note: There is no benefit to submitting a registration on the first day. Selection is a random lottery conducted after the registration window closes. All focus should be on accuracy and compliance.
| Key Date | Event |
| March 7, 2025 (12 PM ET) | Initial Registration Period Opens |
| March 24, 2025 (12 PM ET) | Initial Registration Period Closes |
| By March 31, 2025 | USCIS Selection Notifications Sent |
| April 1, 2025 | Petition Filing Window Opens for Selected Registrations |
The Online Registration Process and Organizational Accounts
Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions must use a USCIS organizational account to register their beneficiaries.
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Existing Users: If an employer previously had a USCIS account for earlier registration seasons but didn’t use it for FY 2025, their account will be automatically upgraded to an organizational account upon their next login, centralizing their filing capabilities.
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New Users: First-time registrants can create an account at any time.
Representatives (attorneys) may add clients to their accounts at any time, but they must wait until the official opening on March 7, 2025, to enter the required beneficiary information and submit the registration with the fee. USCIS provides guides and video tutorials on their Organizational Accounts FAQs page, which are updated with the latest FY 2026-specific instructions.
Understanding the Two-Tier H1B Visa Lottery Dates
A key element of the process involves two separate caps, impacting the H1B Visa Lottery Dates and selection:
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Regular Cap (65,000 Visas): Available to all beneficiaries with a U.S. Bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.
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Master’s Cap (20,000 Visas): An additional allocation set aside exclusively for beneficiaries who have earned a U.S. Master’s or higher degree from an accredited non-profit or state university.
USCIS conducts the lottery in two phases, giving Master’s degree holders a higher overall chance of selection. The selection process is now beneficiary-centric, meaning each unique beneficiary (identified by their passport number) is entered into the lottery only once, regardless of how many registrations are submitted on their behalf by different legitimate employers. This change, implemented to combat fraud, ensures a fair random draw.
What Happens After the H1B Visa Lottery Dates Close?
Once the registration period closes on March 24, USCIS conducts the random lottery.
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Selection Notification: Account holders will be notified of the lottery results by March 31, 2025. A “Selected” status in the online account means the employer is now eligible to move forward.
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Petition Filing Window: For selected beneficiaries, the employer must prepare and submit the full Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker along with all supporting documentation (including the certified Labor Condition Application, or LCA). This petition filing window typically opens on April 1, 2025, and lasts for at least 90 days.
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Start Date: If the petition is approved, the earliest a beneficiary can begin working in H-1B status is the start of the fiscal year, October 1, 2025.
Given the strict deadlines and required documentation, early preparation is critical. We encourage all prospective petitioners to begin organizing their materials now to ensure a smooth transition from registration to the final petition filing.
For expert guidance and assistance with the FY 2026 H1B Visa Lottery Dates, registration, and full petition filing, contact our specialists today.
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