H-1B Registration Checklist

H-1B Registration Checklist FY2026 | VisaVerge Tools
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H-1B Registration Checklist
FY2026 Season

Complete H-1B Cap Registration Checklist

Prepare everything you need for FY2026 H-1B lottery registration. Track employer information, beneficiary details, job requirements, and ensure compliance with the latest USCIS requirements and fee structure.

Interactive Checklist 2025 Fee Calculator Key Deadlines Auto-Save Progress
Registration Window
March 7 - 24, 2025
Registration opens noon ET March 7 and closes noon ET March 24
-- Days Until Window Opens
$215 Registration Fee
85,000 Total H-1B Cap
~25% Selection Rate
339K FY26 Registrations
Important: New $100,000 Fee (September 2025)
Effective September 21, 2025, a $100,000 fee applies to new H-1B petitions for beneficiaries outside the U.S. who do not hold a valid H-1B visa. This fee does NOT apply to: current H-1B holders, extensions, amendments, or change of status from within the U.S. Consult an immigration attorney for guidance.

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Employer Information

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Full Legal Company Name
Exactly as registered with the IRS
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
9-digit federal tax ID number
NAICS Code
North American Industry Classification System code
Company Address
Primary business address
Authorized Signatory Information
Person authorized to sign immigration documents
Name & Title
Email
Phone
Year of Establishment
When the company was incorporated or formed
Number of Full-Time Employees
Affects ACWIA fee: $750 (<25 employees) or $1,500 (25+ employees)
Gross Annual Income
Total revenue from most recent fiscal year
Net Annual Income
Profit after expenses from most recent fiscal year
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Beneficiary Information

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Full Legal Name (as on passport)
Exactly as it appears on passport
Date of Birth
As shown on passport
Country of Birth
Important for visa backlog considerations (India, China, etc.)
Country of Citizenship
Current citizenship as on passport
Passport Information
Current valid passport details
Passport Number
Expiration Date
Current Immigration Status
If currently in the U.S.
I-94 Number
If applicable - retrieve from i94.cbp.dhs.gov
SEVIS Number
If currently or previously on F/J status
U.S. Address
Current address if in the United States
Foreign Address
Permanent address in home country
Highest Educational Qualification
Advanced U.S. degree qualifies for 20,000 cap exemption
03

Job Position Details

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Job Title
Must be a specialty occupation requiring bachelor's degree
SOC Code & Occupation Title
Standard Occupational Classification from O*NET
SOC Code
Occupation Title
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Detailed description demonstrating specialty occupation
Worksite Address(es)
All locations where work will be performed
Salary/Wage Offered
Must meet prevailing wage for the occupation and location
Amount (USD)
Pay Frequency
Employment Period
H-1B status starts October 1, 2025 for FY2026
Start Date
End Date
Full-Time Position
Typically 35+ hours per week
Minimum Education Requirements
Degree requirement for the position
Minimum Degree
Field of Study
04

Prior H-1B & Visa History

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Beneficiary-Centric Selection
USCIS uses beneficiary-centric selection - each unique beneficiary is counted once, regardless of how many employers register them. For FY2026, there was an average of 1.01 registrations per beneficiary.
H-1B Cap Subject/Exempt Status
Cap-exempt employers include universities, research orgs, etc.
Previously Counted Against H-1B Cap?
If yes, may not need to go through lottery again
If yes, which fiscal year?
U.S. Advanced Degree
Master's or higher from U.S. institution qualifies for 20,000 cap exemption
Institution Name (if applicable)
Previous H-1B Denials or RFEs
Previous issues may require additional preparation
Details (if applicable)
Previous USCIS Receipt Numbers
Any prior petitions or applications
05

Fees & Payment Preparation

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Registration Fee Ready ($215 per beneficiary)
Credit card or ACH payment - daily limit increased to $99,999.99
Post-Selection Fees (If Selected in Lottery)
These fees are due when filing the full H-1B petition
Fee Type
Amount
Notes
H-1B Registration Fee
$215
Per beneficiary, due at registration
I-129 Base Filing Fee
$780 / $460
$460 for small employers (<25 employees)
Fraud Prevention Fee
$500
Initial and change of employer filings
ACWIA Fee
$750 / $1,500
$750 (<25 employees) or $1,500 (25+)
Asylum Program Fee
$600 / $300
$300 for small employers; nonprofits exempt
Premium Processing (Optional)
$2,805
15 business day processing
$100K Fee New Sept 2025
$100,000
Only for new petitions, beneficiary outside U.S.
Typical Total (without $100K fee)
$2,595 - $4,400
Varies by employer size and options

FY2026 H-1B Key Dates

February 28, 2025
Account Creation Opens
Employers can create/update USCIS registrant accounts (noon ET)
March 7, 2025
Registration Opens
H-1B cap registration period begins (noon ET)
March 24, 2025
Registration Closes
Last day to submit registrations (noon ET)
March 31, 2025
Selection Notification
USCIS notifies selected registrants
April 1 - June 30, 2025
Petition Filing Window
90-day window to file complete H-1B petition
September 21, 2025
$100K Fee Effective
New $100,000 fee for certain petitions takes effect
October 1, 2025
Employment Begins
Start of FY2026 H-1B employment

Frequently Asked Questions

For FY2026, USCIS received approximately 339,000 unique beneficiary registrations and selected about 118,660 beneficiaries. The selection rate has remained consistent at approximately 25-26% since the beneficiary-centric selection process was implemented in FY2025.

The beneficiary-centric approach means each unique person is counted once in the lottery, regardless of how many employers register them. This has significantly reduced fraudulent multiple registrations.

On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries who are outside the United States and do not hold a valid H-1B visa.

Who is NOT subject to the fee:

  • Current H-1B visa holders
  • H-1B extensions and amendments
  • Change of status petitions (beneficiary in the U.S.)
  • Petitions filed before September 21, 2025

The fee must be paid through Pay.gov before filing the petition, and proof of payment must accompany the petition. The proclamation expires after 12 months unless extended.

Starting with FY2025, USCIS implemented beneficiary-centric selection for the H-1B lottery. This means:

  • Each unique beneficiary is counted only once, regardless of how many employers register them
  • If selected, all registrations for that beneficiary are selected
  • This prevents gaming the system through multiple registrations

Data shows this approach dramatically reduced multiple registrations - from an average of 1.7 registrations per beneficiary in FY2024 to 1.01 in FY2026.

If selected, you have a 90-day window (April 1 - June 30, 2025) to file your complete H-1B petition with USCIS. You'll need to:

  • File a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
  • Prepare and file Form I-129 with all supporting documents
  • Pay all applicable filing fees ($2,595 - $4,400 for most petitioners)
  • Consider premium processing ($2,805) for 15-day adjudication

If your petition is approved, H-1B employment can begin October 1, 2025.

In addition to the regular 65,000 H-1B cap, there are 20,000 additional visas for beneficiaries who have earned a Master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution.

How it works:

  • Qualified beneficiaries are first entered into the regular cap lottery (65,000)
  • If not selected, they're entered into the advanced degree lottery (20,000)
  • This gives U.S. advanced degree holders two chances at selection

The degree must be from an accredited U.S. institution and in a field related to the specialty occupation.

Legal Disclaimer: This checklist is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and procedures change frequently. Always verify information with official USCIS sources and consult with a qualified immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation. Fee amounts and deadlines are subject to change.