March 2025: The filing window for registration to seek a FY2026 H-1B cap visa number will likely open
October 1, 2025: The earliest start date of employment for selected and approved petitions
When should cap-subject H-1B cap registrations be initiated with LAC?
H-1B cap registrations should be initiated via LAC’s intake portal as soon as possible to ensure a smooth process and minimize the anxiety on employers and employees. We recommend initiating all cap cases by February 1 if possible.
LAC will screen the position and candidate in advance to ensure eligibility to file an H-1B petition if the candidate is selected for filing. We will request certain documents and information from the employer and the candidate to confirm eligibility and collect the information necessary to complete the registration process.
Once the registration results are available, LAC will notify the employer and the candidate if they have been selected. H-1B petitions for those selected will be prepared for filing during the 90-day window, which is expected to open on April 1st.
What are the H-1B quota limitations?
- Regular cap (Bachelor’s degree): 58,200
- Regular cap, Citizens of Chile: 1,400
- Regular cap, Citizens of Singapore: 5,400
- Master’s cap exemption (Master’s degree or higher from a U.S. university): 20,000
Which individuals may need cap-subject H-1B sponsorship?
- F-1 students – may be working in CPT, OPT or STEM OPT status
- Individuals in TN status (pursuant to the NAFTA/USMCA Treaty)
- Individuals who have L-1A or L-1B status and are subject to quota backlogs preventing them from completing the permanent residency process
- Individuals in L-1B status who can benefit from the additional 1 year in H-1B status
- Individuals in L-1B status for whom an extension is risky due to high RFE rates
- Individuals in E-1/E-2/E-3 or O-1 status who wish to avoid travel restrictions at the end of the green card process
- Candidates coming from abroad or not currently work authorized
- Candidates seeking to transfer an H-1B from a cap-exempt employer (such as a university) to a cap-subject employer
- Individuals with H-4 EADs who do not want to be reliant on their spouse’s H-1B status
What types of cases are NOT subject to the H-1B cap?
- H-1B amendments (filing to change a term or condition of employment for an employee who already holds H-1B status)
- H-1B extensions (filing to extend the stay of an employee who already holds H-1B status)
- H-1B transfers (filing to transfer an H-1B from Employer A to Employer B)
- H-1B petitions for someone who has held an H-1B in the past and has not exhausted the full six years of H-1B time
- H-1B petitions filed by cap-exempt employers, such as universities or non-profit research institutions
When and how will winners be notified?
USCIS will send an electronic notice to the account holder who submitted the registration that an action has been added to the account. USCIS will notify the account holder when the registration period closes. USCIS has not yet advised when the registration period will open or close.
What happens to registrations that are not selected?
Registrations not selected during the first round of selections will remain on reserve in the system for the applicable fiscal year. These unselected registrations will remain on reserve in the event USCIS needs to increase the number of registrations selected to meet the H-1B Regular cap or H-1B Advanced Degree cap slots available.
What are the next steps if a candidate is selected in the lottery?
USCIS will electronically notify an employer’s authorized representative of registrations that have been selected in the initial lottery selection. An H-1B petition will then be prepared and filed with USCIS during the prescribed filing period. If USCIS requires more evidence before it can issue a decision, a request for evidence will be issued. Once an H-1B petition has been approved, employment can start no earlier than October 1st.
How much time will USCIS provide to file H-1B petitions once notices of selection have been issued?
USCIS will provide a period of 90 days for petitions based on selected H-1B registrations to be filed. The filing window is expected to open on April 1st.
Will candidates with a U.S. Master’s degree or higher who are not selected in the regular cap lottery continue to qualify for the Master’s degree exemption?
Yes. U.S. Advanced Degree professionals (applicants who hold a master’s or higher degree from a U.S. university) will first be considered for selection under the regular cap of 58,200 H-1Bs, and if they are not selected, they will be considered for selection under the Master’s Cap exemption cap of 20,000 H-1Bs.
Will Premium Processing be available?
USCIS has not confirmed if premium processing will be available for selected petitions. The availability of premium processing service is usually determined later in the H-1B cap filing process.
What is the fee?
For the FY2026 registration period, USCIS has increased the registration fee to $215 per applicant. The increase reflects the USCIS’ efforts to cover increasing administrative costs.
LAC will charge a legal fee for attorney review of the position and candidate eligibility for H-1B classification, and preparation and submission of the registration.
Should you have any questions regarding the above, please contact your LAC attorney.
This update was prepared by Brianda Renteria, Associate Attorney Larrabee Albi Coker LLP.
Legal Disclaimer: This e-blast is provided for informational purposes only and does not substitute for legal advice based on the circumstances of a specific matter. Immigration laws and policies change frequently, often without notice. It is therefore important to seek direct legal counsel based upon individual circumstances.