The United States 🇺🇸 continues to refine its H-1B visa process, and recent changes for the FY 2025 H-1B season highlight this trend toward more fairness and stronger oversight. Employers, applicants, and legal teams now face a program that looks and works differently from just a few years ago. Some updates have immediate effects for those aiming to hire or work in the coming year, while others signal what to expect in 2026. Let’s break down what these changes mean, why they matter, and what steps you should take moving forward.
The H-1B visa is often the route by which skilled foreign workers—especially in the technology, engineering, and science fields—come to work in the United States 🇺🇸. Because demand far outpaces supply each year, Congress put a limit (cap) on how many new H-1B visas can be issued. As the season for FY 2025 closes and 2026 planning begins, the system is entering a new phase, especially with the coming into force of the H-1B Modernization Rule.
Key Updates for FY 2025 and What’s Coming for FY 2026
The FY 2025 H-1B registration window ended on March 24, 2025. During this season, a key change was the adoption of a beneficiary-centric selection method. Rather than giving better odds to applicants sponsored by multiple employers, every individual had only one spot in the lottery, no matter how many times companies submitted their name. This update aimed to stop people or employers from increasing their chances unfairly, creating a more level playing field for all. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rolled out this approach after years of calls for reform.
For FY 2026 and beyond, there are other big changes:
- The H-1B registration fee will jump from $10 to $215 per applicant.
- Upgrades to the online registration and tracking system will make it quicker and easier for both employers and their legal representatives to manage multiple applications.
- Starting January 17, 2025, only the new version of Form I-129 will be accepted. Any petitions that use older versions after this date will be rejected.
These updates reflect a wider move by USCIS to modernize the H-1B program, improve efficiency, and make sure the system is fair for all.
Understanding the Beneficiary-Centric Lottery
A highlight of this season is the beneficiary-centric process for the H-1B lottery. In the past, an applicant who had multiple job offers—and thus multiple registrations—had a better chance of being selected, which critics argued was unfair. Under the current process, each person gets just one entry, no matter how many employers submit registrations for them. This process, reported by VisaVerge.com, gives everyone the same odds and helps prevent attempts to game the system.
To further tighten the process, applicants must now provide a valid passport or travel document number. This helps ensure each registration truly represents a unique person. Each passport or travel document can only be used once per lottery. The only exceptions are for people who do not have—and cannot get—a passport, such as certain stateless individuals or refugees. For most people, though, this rule is strict and clear.
Timeline and Deadlines
The FY 2025 H-1B registration ran for just over two weeks, from March 7 to March 24, 2025. Within a week (by March 31), USCIS announced which applicants had been selected. Those chosen had until June 30, 2025, to submit their full H-1B petitions. For those who will try for FY 2026, the important thing to remember is that the next application window will run from noon Eastern Time on March 7, 2025, to noon Eastern Time on March 24, 2025. The new, higher registration fee of $215 will be in place by then.
Improved Online System: What’s New and Why It Matters
The push to modernize goes beyond just stopping bad actors—it’s about making things easier for everyone. The online platform now allows:
- Representatives and legal teams to work together using organizational accounts.
- Employers to track each case online in real time.
- Paralegals and legal professionals to manage registrations for multiple employers from one account.
- Quick and simple bulk uploads where beneficiary names and details can be added using spreadsheets.
- Some registration data to fill in automatically on the new Form I-129, cutting down on extra work and possible errors.
For organizations hiring many foreign workers, these enhancements mean smoother processing. They also help legal teams avoid mistakes that could result in rejection or delay.
Higher Registration Fee for FY 2026
Perhaps the biggest shock is the huge jump in the H-1B registration fee—from $10 to $215 for each beneficiary. This shift, which starts with the FY 2026 cycle, is meant to cover the costs of system upgrades and enforcement. While the old $10 fee kept costs very low for employers when registering people for the lottery, the jump to $215 greatly increases the price of participating—especially for organizations with large numbers of applicants. It’s essential for budget planning.
New Requirements and Integrity Measures
USCIS now asks much more of both employers and applicants:
- Every registration must include valid details from a passport or travel document. This cuts down on duplicate or false entries.
- Only one registration per unique individual is permitted for each lottery. If someone is found to have more than one entry (except in the rarest of cases), all entries for that person can be tossed out.
- Employers must have a real presence in the United States 🇺🇸. This means active operations and, in many cases, new documents to prove it.
- Employers should be ready to provide extra records about job offers, such as contracts or proof that the job is real, especially if the role involves jobs at third-party worksites.
These steps set a higher bar and stop common abuses that have plagued the program for years.
The H-1B Modernization Rule: What’s Changed?
A big part of these updates is the H-1B Modernization Rule, which takes effect on January 17, 2025. This new rule tries to make the whole system clearer and stop loopholes. Here are its biggest points:
1. Degree Must Match the Job:
Now, an H-1B petition can only be accepted if the person’s degree is directly related to the job duties. Before this, broad fields were sometimes accepted even if they didn’t make sense for the job. This means, for example, someone with a general “business” degree may no longer qualify for a very technical or science-heavy H-1B job unless they can prove a clear connection.
2. Bona Fide Job Requirement:
Employers must prove that the position they are offering is genuine, with evidence like contracts or detailed job offers. This is especially important for jobs that will take place at another company’s location (third-party worksites) or involve research positions.
3. New Rules for Business Owners:
If the person applying is an owner of the company sponsoring them, more checks will happen. However, there are also new rules to protect business owners and ensure decisions are consistent.
4. Revised Form I-129:
All applicants and employers must use the newest version of Form I-129 (required for all H-1B petitions) starting January 17, 2025. Older forms will not be accepted, and using them can cause immediate rejection. For those not familiar, Form I-129 is the paperwork needed to ask for an H-1B visa.
5. Cap-Exempt and Special Categories Clarified:
Special rules and clarifications now cover organizations not subject to the H-1B cap (like research or higher education jobs), making it simpler to know who qualifies and how.
Filing After Selection: Next Steps
Once someone is picked in the H-1B lottery, they (or their employer) need to quickly submit a complete petition with all required documents and fees. For those applying in FY 2025 and beyond, only the updated form version can be used, and petitions can be sent either online or to special “lockbox” mailing addresses. Petitioners can also now request start dates after October 1, giving more flexibility to match the business’s needs.
Practical Tips for Employers
If you’re an employer planning to hire using the H-1B route, this new system means paying close attention at every step:
- Gather all documents ahead of time, especially passport details for every person you plan to register.
- Make sure your organization’s USCIS online account (or your legal representative’s account) is fully set up and the features are understood well before any deadline.
- Prepare for a much higher registration fee in 2026—at $215 for each applicant, costs can add up quickly for large hiring groups.
- Use new tools in the system, like bulk uploads and collaborative workflows, to avoid mistakes and keep up with deadlines.
- Track every important date; the rules are strict, and late filings are not allowed for any reason.
- Be ready to show proof that job offers are real, especially in tricky cases like roles based at third-party worksites or for people switching from student status.
How These Changes Compare to Prior Years
The H-1B program has moved quickly from paper-based, slower, and sometimes unfair systems to a much more digital, rule-heavy, and closely supervised one. Before these reforms, it was possible for applicants to boost their selection odds by having multiple registrations. Low fees also meant little risk for employers to submit bulk entries, thinning chances for genuine applicants. Now, selection is one person, one chance, and every dollar counts.
Stricter rules for proof of real jobs and a deeper review of job-worker matches mean less room for error or misuse. Form updates keep the process current but require everyone to stay updated.
Addressing Questions and Concerns
Many people want to know if these changes will make it harder or easier to get an H-1B visa. The answer depends on your situation:
- If you’re a worker, your odds no longer depend on how many job offers you get—just your luck in the lottery, and your qualifications.
- If you’re an employer, your costs and compliance duties are rising, but so is the peace of mind that others can’t cheat the system around you.
- If you’re in a cap-exempt group (like research), updates to the H-1B Modernization Rule clarify your options.
- Those who miss deadlines or apply with old forms won’t get a second chance—planning and double-checking are now a must.
Some industry groups and legal professionals have raised questions about the fairness of a much higher registration fee, especially for small businesses. Others worry about the learning curve as everyone gets used to the new system and rules. However, these are balanced by praise for moves that make the process more clear and less open to abuse.
Compliance, Legal Challenges, and Official Sources
There is always a risk with new rules—sometimes they are challenged in court, or further changes happen based on feedback. Employers and individuals should keep a close eye out for new updates as these could impact ongoing or future applications. To avoid mistakes, check updates directly from the USCIS official website.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the shift to a beneficiary-centric selection process, coupled with higher fees and stronger system checks, marks a real turning point for the H-1B program. This puts more responsibility on employers to comply but lays a better foundation for all parties moving forward.
Next Steps and Final Tips
A few key reminders:
- Start preparing early—gather all paperwork and set up USCIS accounts before registration opens.
- Budget for higher costs in FY 2026.
- Use the new online features to smooth out your process and avoid mistakes.
- Stay alert for any last-minute updates from USCIS, as deadlines cannot be missed.
- Get legal help if you’re unsure about document requirements or how new rules might affect your case.
These updates reflect the U.S. government’s effort to manage the strong demand for skilled immigration while building trust in the H-1B system. With careful planning, attention to detail, and real adherence to new requirements, both employers and applicants can improve their odds in an increasingly competitive environment.
As always, review the latest instructions and details on the USCIS website before beginning any filing. For advice tailored to your case and to ensure full compliance, speak with a trusted immigration legal professional. The H-1B Modernization Rule and new processes change the game—but by staying ready and well-informed, you can still succeed.
Disclaimer: This article offers general information. For case-specific advice, always speak with a qualified immigration lawyer or trusted legal authority.
Learn Today
H-1B visa → A non-immigrant visa allowing U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, often technology or science related.
Beneficiary-centric lottery → A selection system giving each individual one entry, regardless of how many employers register them, to ensure fairness.
Form I-129 → A mandatory USCIS application form for U.S. employers seeking to petition for a temporary worker or nonimmigrant visa.
Cap-exempt → Describes organizations or positions not subject to the annual limit or quota (cap) on available H-1B visas.
Third-party worksite → A job location that is not the direct employer’s premises, often involving staffing or outsourcing arrangements.
This Article in a Nutshell
H-1B visa changes for FY 2025-2026 reshape how skilled workers and employers participate. A beneficiary-centric lottery, steep fee increase to $215, and new digital tools now ensure fairness, stronger oversight, and smoother processing. Success depends on early preparation, compliance with new rules, and close attention to official updates.
— By VisaVerge.com
