The H-1B registration for FY 2026 is officially set to open on March 7, 2025, at noon ET, and will close on March 24, 2025, at noon ET. This year, the H-1B lottery process has undergone significant changes, with higher fees, system upgrades, and a stricter selection process—making many wonder, “Is USCIS making it impossible to get selected?”
Here’s what’s changing and how you can maximize your chances in this increasingly competitive lottery.
Biggest Changes to the H-1B Lottery Process in 2026
1. H-1B Registration Fee Increased to $215
USCIS has officially raised the H-1B electronic registration fee to $215 per applicant—a significant increase from previous years. It looks like USCIS is keeping up with inflation!
💰 Important Notes:
- The registration fee must be paid online by the employer or their representative for the application to be considered complete.
- No payment = No registration!
2. Organizational Accounts Now Mandatory
If your company used an H-1B account between 2021 and 2024 but didn’t use it in 2025, your account is now automatically upgraded to an organizational account.
New employers must create a USCIS organizational account to register candidates for the lottery. Without one, they cannot submit H-1B registrations.
3. No More Multiple Registrations to Boost Your Chances
Remember the old strategy of having multiple employers submit applications for the same candidate to increase selection odds? That’s officially banned under USCIS’s beneficiary-centric selection process.
- Each unique applicant is counted only once, regardless of how many employers submit their registration.
- If the number of registrations exceeds the H-1B cap, USCIS will randomly select candidates by March 31, 2025.
- If registrations fall short of the cap, all eligible applicants will be approved automatically. (But don’t count on this happening!)
For more changes about the new H1B reform that was activated on Jan 17th, 2025, read our article: H-1B Visa Reform Starts Jan 17: Benefits for Indian Students in FY2026
4. Higher Payment Limits for Large Employers
Due to the overwhelming volume of H-1B applications, the U.S. Treasury Department has increased the daily credit card payment limit from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99.
- Employers paying over $99,999.99 must use ACH (Automated Clearing House) bank transfers instead.
- If using ACH, contact your bank in advance to prevent transactions from being blocked automatically.
Key H-1B System Upgrades for 2026
USCIS has made significant system improvements to streamline the H-1B application process:
✅ Paralegals Can Assist Multiple Attorneys: This allows large law firms to manage multiple applications more efficiently.
✅ Easier Attorney-Client Collaboration: Employers and their legal teams can now collaborate on applications more smoothly.
✅ Bulk Upload of H-1B Registration Data: No more manual data entry—batch uploads will now be supported!
✅ Auto-Filled I-129 Form Fields: This helps reduce errors and increases the efficiency of the application process.
How to Prepare for the New H-1B Rules
🔹 Employers: If you haven’t created a USCIS organizational account, do it now! You won’t be able to register your candidates otherwise.
🔹 Lawyers & Representatives: Start adding client information early, but you must wait until March 7 to input beneficiary details and pay fees.
🔹 H-1B Applicants: When job hunting, ask potential employers if they are willing to sponsor H-1B and whether they have an organizational account set up.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Most Competitive H-1B Season Ever?
With higher fees, stricter selection rules, and an upgraded system, FY 2026 is shaping up to be one of the toughest H-1B lottery seasons ever. USCIS is making it clear: they want only the best talent.
For international students and employers, planning is critical. Make sure you:
✅ Find an employer willing to sponsor your H-1B.
✅ Gather all required documents early.
✅ Avoid last-minute panic—register as soon as the window opens.
🚀 Alternative Pathway: Can Day 1 CPT Help You Stay & Work in the U.S.?
With the H-1B lottery becoming increasingly competitive, Day 1 CPT universities provide a valuable backup plan for F-1 students who want to stay in the U.S. legally while working.
💡 Why Consider Day 1 CPT?
- No lottery required – You can legally work from the first day of your degree.
- Flexible programs – Hybrid models allow you to work while attending school.
- Better career planning: If you don’t win the H-1B lottery, CPT allows you to continue working and apply again next year.
If you are interested in exploring Day 1 CPT as a backup option, book a free consultation with us~ Our consultants were once upon a time, also F1 students. Many of them have enrolled in Day 1 CPT programs themselves to get where they are today. They are not only familiar with USCIS policies, and Day 1 CPT program setting, but can also offer relatable advanced on how to use Day 1 CPT to advance your career in the US.
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