According to reports, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to receive over 85,000 H-1B visa applications.
The registration period for the H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2025-26 is set to begin on March 7 and will remain open until March 24. This year, employers seeking to sponsor H-1B visa candidates will be required to pay an increased fee for the electronic registration process.
According to a Times of India report, the fee for this year’s H-1B visa cap registration has surged to $125 per applicant, a substantial increase from last year’s $10 fee.
The Biden administration has implemented a beneficiary-focused registration and selection process, accompanied by a significant rise in registration fees as part of its latest measures.
The previous U.S. administration implemented these measures to strengthen the integrity of the H-1B visa program.
What Are the Major Updates in the H-1B Visa Registration Process?
According to reports, the beneficiary-centric approach, initially introduced for the registration and lottery process in 2025, is likely to continue in 2026 as well.
Under this process, each beneficiary is included in the lottery a single time, regardless of how many registrations are filed on their behalf.
This process utilizes the beneficiary’s passport number as a distinct identifier, allowing for accurate tracking of lottery participation attempts.
This measure was implemented to stop individuals from making multiple entries, thereby minimizing the chances of exploiting the system.
What is the process for H-1B visa registration and the lottery system?
Reports indicate that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to receive over 85,000 H-1B registrations, exceeding the annual cap.
At the close of the registration period, USCIS will hold a lottery to select enough applicants to fulfill the 65,000 annual cap.
This process involves a random selection from the pool of US advanced degree holders who weren’t initially chosen, providing them with another opportunity in the lottery.
New H-1B Visa Modernization Rules to Take Effect in 2026
New H-1B Visa Modernization Rules Enforced from January 17, Impacting Registration and Selection Process
In the past few weeks, the Biden administration introduced new regulations that redefine the term “specialty occupation,” providing sponsoring employers with more flexibility in terms of work arrangements.
These updated rules are particularly significant for industries such as IT services and consulting, where employees are often posted at client sites. Under the revised guidelines, the focus will shift from the sponsoring employer’s criteria to the client’s requirements in determining whether a role qualifies as a specialty occupation.
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