H-1B Cap Season Sees Higher Credit Card Limit Amid Rising Fees

Key Takeaways

The daily credit card transaction limit for FY 2026 H-1B has temporarily increased to $99,999.99 from $24,999.99.
Registration fees rose from $10 to $215 per application, with the registration period running March 7-24, 2025.
Employers must prepare budgets, consider large-scale payments, and explore ACH options for amounts exceeding $99,999.99.

The U.S. Department of Treasury has temporarily raised the daily credit card transaction limit to $99,999.99 for the FY 2026 H-1B cap season. Previously set at $24,999.99, this updated limit aims to address the financial demands associated with the H-1B registration fee increase from $10 to $215 per registration. Announced on February 5, 2025, this change ensures participants can efficiently manage payments during the registration period, which runs from March 7, 2025, at noon Eastern Time through March 24, 2025, at noon Eastern Time.

The adjustment stems from the financial pressure faced by employers and legal representatives managing large-scale H-1B registrations. With the new $215 registration fee replacing the former $10 cost, the processing needs, particularly for organizations filing numerous registrations, have sharply increased. This cap season-specific measure looks to minimize transaction delays and ensure smooth payment processing.

H-1B Cap Season Sees Higher Credit Card Limit Amid Rising Fees

Practical Benefits of the Increased Limit

For those navigating the H-1B cap season, the higher transaction limit offers significant advantages. Employers, legal representatives, and other stakeholders involved in the registration process will experience:

Higher Efficiency
The raised credit card limit enables larger payments in a single transaction. Organizations handling multiple registrations can now consolidate payments more effectively. Similarly, payment delays caused by reaching the former $24,999.99 cap daily limit will decrease. For example, a large employer registering 500 beneficiaries previously needed multiple transactions spread across several days. With the new $99,999.99 limit, far fewer transactions are required, saving time and simplifying processes.
Shortened Processing Time
Reducing the need for staggered payments results in faster processing. Participants now face less administrative burden and spend less time managing financial logistics. This enhanced payment capacity ensures that payments clear within the registration timeline.
Ease for Large Enterprises and Law Firms
Many large corporations and law firms handle registrations numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. With the higher transaction limit, employers can submit more registrations in a single payment, dramatically lightening the workload for human resources teams, lawyers, and accountants. Legal representatives will also benefit, as they can consolidate payments for multiple clients in fewer transactions.
Support for the $215 Registration Fee
The payment system improvements directly address the increased registration fee’s demands. A single transaction previously allowed registering around 120 applicants at the prior $10 fee, compared to only 116 applicants under the updated $215 fee. Basic math highlights how crucial the $99,999.99 cap increase is for organizations submitting high numbers of registrations efficiently.
Lower Administrative Complexity
Law firms and companies often juggle multiple payment systems to avoid exceeding prior transaction limits. By substantially raising the allowable daily amount, the temporary measure simplifies this process and reduces the need for additional tracking systems for disbursed payments.

Alternative Payment Methods

Although the increase to $99,999.99 significantly relieves pressure on credit card processing, it does not address all scenarios. USCIS has provided an alternative option for payments exceeding this limit through Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers. These bank-to-bank transfers allow participants to surpass the $99,999.99 threshold. However, employers using ACH should contact their banks beforehand to confirm that ACH blocks, often set as standard security measures, are lifted. Planning ahead for such large-scale transactions is essential to avoid unexpected delays.

Context of the H-1B Cap Season

The FY 2026 H-1B cap season holds particular importance due to several process changes introduced by USCIS. Beyond the credit card cap adjustment, USCIS has added targeted updates aimed at benefiting large organizational users. For example, the entry of beneficiary data via spreadsheets and enhanced roles for paralegals under law firm accounts will streamline the process for high-volume users. These changes work together to reduce administrative backlogs and ensure smoother navigation of the registration system.

One valuable update retained for FY 2026 is the beneficiary-centric randomized selection procedure started in FY 2025. Unlike the previous process of selecting registrations on a first-come, first-served basis, USCIS now selects H-1B registrations based on the individual beneficiary. This creates a fairer system while maintaining the cap limit (85,000 visas total) under existing legislation.

Implications and Recommendations for Employers

While the increased credit card transaction limit offers flexibility, organizations registering H-1B applicants need to consider the broader implications. Since this is a temporary change in place only for the FY 2026 H-1B cap season, employers must plan for future uncertainties. As noted by VisaVerge.com, the registration process could revert to a lower credit transaction cap for subsequent fiscal years unless a permanent decision is made.

Employers are encouraged to adopt the following best practices when planning H-1B registrations:

Prepare Budgets Accordingly
The registration fee hike to $215 per submission significantly increases costs for organizations lodging many applications. Ensure your organization allocates sufficient funds well in advance of the March 7-24 registration window.
Utilize USCIS Registration Systems Effectively
Employers should familiarize employees with the USCIS online account system to avoid last-minute rushing. For registration volumes nearing or exceeding $99,999.99, coordinate large payments wisely or explore ACH options with your bank.
Monitor Deadlines Rigidly
USCIS deadlines are strictly enforced. Failure to complete a payment by the end of the registration window will invalidate that specific registration. With the higher cap and better payment tools in place, ensure your accounting team collaborates closely with legal representatives and HR teams to avoid last-minute errors or missed opportunities.
Track USCIS Announcements
Keep a watchful eye for updates about payment policy changes applicable in future fiscal years. The temporary nature of this credit limit increase reflects a focus on addressing short-term challenges, but it remains uncertain whether or how credit caps evolve following FY 2026.

Forward-Looking Preparations

The credit limit increase aligns with broader reforms stemming from USCIS’s analysis of previous H-1B cap season challenges. Despite its advantages for FY 2026, stakeholders must plan as if similar accommodations may not occur next season. Ensuring compliance with the current payment model minimizes registration risks, but contingency plans should consider alternative payment limits reverting downward. Maintaining flexibility will be critical as agencies continually reassess policies surrounding application volumes and associated payments.

Conclusion

The temporary adjustment of the daily credit card limit to $99,999.99 during the FY 2026 H-1B cap season offers a much-needed update to align with the $215 registration fee and accommodate high submission volumes. Employers and legal representatives benefit through streamlined registration processes, reduced time constraints, and increased payment flexibility. It is crucial, however, for affected parties to remain aware of the interim nature of this change and to prepare appropriately for future registration periods.

For a thorough understanding of these updates or to review official guidelines, consult the USCIS H-1B Electronic Registration Process page. This authoritative resource provides up-to-date details and essential links for participants navigating the registration process.

Learn Today

H-1B Cap Season → The annual period when U.S. organizations register foreign professionals for H-1B visas, limited to 85,000 per fiscal year.
FY 2026 → Fiscal Year 2026, spanning October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, used for government budget and planning cycles.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) → A secure electronic network enabling bank-to-bank transfers in the U.S., often used for high-value transactions.
Beneficiary-Centric Selection → A process where individual applicants, not registrations, are randomly selected for H-1B visa allocation to ensure fairness.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency managing H-1B visa registrations and immigration processes.

This Article in a Nutshell

The U.S. Treasury’s temporary increase of the daily credit card transaction limit to $99,999.99 for FY 2026 H-1B cap season eases payment challenges caused by the hike in registration fees from $10 to $215. This change enables smoother, faster transactions, empowering employers to manage large-scale H-1B registrations efficiently within the tight March deadline.
— By VisaVerge.com