USA H-1B Work Visa 2026 Registration Starts March 7, 2025 – Are You Ready?

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has just released a critical update for international professionals seeking work opportunities in the U.S. The initial registration window for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap opens on March 7, 2025, at noon Eastern and closes on March 24, 2025. This is the golden opportunity for skilled foreign workers to secure employment in the United States under a highly sought-after visa program.

If you’re an aspiring H-1B applicant, now is the time to act! You must ensure that your prospective employer completes the electronic registration through a USCIS online account and submits the required registration fee on your behalf. Missing this window means waiting an entire year for the next cycle—so preparation is key!

With the H-1B application window approaching fast, this article provides a complete roadmap to help visa seekers navigate the process successfully. Whether you’re an aspiring applicant or an H-1B visa holder exploring new opportunities, this guide will keep you informed and ahead of the competition!

Understanding the H-1B Visa

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant work visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields and this visa applies to three (03) main categories:

• • H-1B Specialty Occupations – For roles requiring highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specific field.
  • H-1B2 DOD Researcher and Development Project Worker – For individuals working on projects under the U.S. Department of Defense.
  • H-1B3 Fashion Model – For distinguished models with national or international recognition.

H-1B Specialty Occupations

To qualify as a specialty occupation, the job must require:

• Theoretical and practical application of a highly specialized body of knowledge.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in a directly related field as a minimum entry requirement.
• The employer to file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor (DOL) to ensure fair wages and working conditions.

Applying for an H-1B Visa for FY 2026 (Starting March 7, 2025)

1# H-1B Registration Process

Step 1: Employer Registers for the H-1B Lottery (New Announcement!)
(https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations)

• • Employers must electronically register between March 7 and March 24, 2025.
  • A $10 registration fee per beneficiary is required.
  • If applications exceed the 65,000 regular cap and 20,000 master’s cap, USCIS will conduct a lottery.

Step 2: H-1B Lottery Selection

• • USCIS will notify selected employers who can proceed with filing a formal petition.

Step 3: Petition Filing & Labor Condition Application (LCA)

• • The employer must file Form I-129 along with a DOL-certified LCA.
  • The LCA ensures fair wages and compliance with labor laws.

Step 4: Visa Processing & Approval

• • If approved, the foreign worker can apply for an H-1B visa at a U.S. consulate.
  • Approved candidates can start working on or after October 1, 2025.

2# H-1B Visa Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• • Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field.
  • Work in a specialty occupation requiring expert knowledge.
  • Obtain employment sponsorship from a U.S. employer.
  • Ensure their employer files an LCA with the DOL.

3# H-1B Portability: Changing Employers

Foreign professionals can transfer their H-1B sponsorship from one employer to another. Key points include:

• • The new employer must file Form I-129 before the previous employment authorization expires.
  • The employee can start working immediately upon filing.
  • If the petition is denied, the employee must stop working or return to their previous employer (if valid).

Employees who lose their jobs have up to 60 days to find a new employer, change visa status, or leave the U.S.

4# H-1B Cap and Exemptions

Each year, there are strict limits on H-1B visas:

• • 65,000 visas under the regular cap.
  • 20,000 visas for individuals with U.S. master’s degrees or higher.

However, cap-exempt employers include:

• • U.S. higher education institutions.
  • Nonprofit research organizations.
  • Government research institutions.

5# H-1B Period of Stay & Extensions

• • Initially granted for 3 years, extendable up to 6 years.
  • Some applicants may be eligible for extensions beyond six years if:
    • They have an approved EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 immigrant petition.
    • They have pending labor certification for at least 365 days.

6# Family Sponsorship: H-4 Visa

H-1B holders can bring their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to the U.S. under the H-4 visa category. Some H-4 spouses are eligible for employment authorization if:

• • The H-1B holder has started the employment-based green card process.

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