FY 2026 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed

FY 2026 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has completed the initial registration selection process for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B visa cap. The agency has received enough electronic registrations to meet the numerical limits for both the regular H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). As part of the process, USCIS has randomly selected beneficiaries from the properly submitted registrations projected to meet the H-1B cap and has notified the respective petitioners.

What This Means for Petitioners and Beneficiaries
If your registration was selected, you are now eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the chosen beneficiary. You can check your registration status through your USCIS online account.

H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026, including those under the advanced degree exemption, can be filed starting April 1, 2025. Only petitioners with a selected registration may submit an H-1B cap-subject petition for FY 2026.

Filing Requirements and Deadlines
To ensure a successful petition filing, applicants must adhere to the following requirements:

  • The H-1B cap-subject petition must be properly filed at the correct location or online through my.uscis.gov.
  • The petition must be submitted within the filing period specified on the selection notice, which will be at least 90 days.
  • A copy of the selection notice must be included with the petition.
  • Petitioners must provide evidence of the beneficiary’s valid passport or travel document used at the time of registration.
  • Even if selected, petitioners must still establish the beneficiary’s eligibility for H-1B approval through supporting documentation.


Next Steps
If you have been selected, it’s time to start preparing your petition. Missing deadlines or filing incorrectly can result in rejection, delaying your immigration process.

Need assistance with your H-1B petition?
At VisaLex, we specialize in H-1B filings and can guide you through every step to ensure a smooth process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and secure your future in the U.S.!

For additional details, visit the H-1B Cap Season page.