The H-1B visa is still the holy grail for many skilled foreign professionals looking to work in the United States. Every year, thousands of dreams ride on a lottery system that decides who gets to apply for one of the most sought-after work visas in the world.
For FY2026, the window of opportunity has officially closed — so if you missed it, you’re not alone. And if you’re in, congratulations! Let’s walk through what’s happened, what’s next, and what you should already be planning for down the line.
The H-1B FY2026 Registration: It’s Closed Now
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) opened the H-1B registration for the FY2026 cap season on March 6, 2025, and closed it on March 22, 2025).
Once registration closed, the next big milestone came quickly — USCIS completed the initial lottery selection by March 31, 2025, and notified selected registrants through their myUSCIS accounts.
Selected registrants have a minimum of 90 days, starting from April 1, 2025, to file complete H-1B petitions.
So yes — if you didn’t register by March 22, it’s game over for this season. If you did, now it’s a waiting game — or rather, a paperwork sprint.
What’s Next for Those Selected
If your registration was selected in the lottery, the next step is filing the full H-1B petition (Form I-129). The earliest filing date was April 1, 2025, and USCIS gave a 90-day window for filing. That means you have until late June 2025 to submit everything.
Here’s what needs to be ready:
- Labor Condition Application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor.
- Form I-129, completed and signed.
- All supporting documentation: job offer letter, proof of education, evidence that it’s a specialty occupation, etc.
- Filing fees, which now include an increased $215 registration fee per beneficiary.
Note: USCIS temporarily raised the credit card transaction limit for filing fees to $99,999.99 to accommodate employers with multiple petitions (USCIS.gov).
Didn’t Get Picked? Here’s What to Do
It sucks — we won’t sugarcoat it. The lottery system means many highly qualified people don’t get selected. If you’re one of them, don’t panic. You’ve still got options.
- Try again next year: Yep, mark your calendar for early March 2026. Stay updated on any changes to rules or timelines.
- Explore other visa types: More on that below — but depending on your qualifications, employer, or country of origin, there could be another route.
- OPT or STEM OPT Extension (for F-1 visa holders): If you’re currently working in the U.S. on Optional Practical Training, see if you’re eligible for the STEM extension, which buys you more time to reapply.
- Global relocation: Consider working from your home country or a branch office if your company allows it, and try again during the next cycle.
Understanding the H-1B Cap
- Regular Cap: 65,000 visas are available annually for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Advanced Degree Exemption: An additional 20,000 visas are allocated for individuals holding a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
Notable Changes for FY2026
- Increased Registration Fee: The registration fee per beneficiary has increased from $10 to $215.
- Credit Card Transaction Limit: The U.S. Department of Treasury approved a temporary increase in the daily credit card transaction limit from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 per day for the FY2026 H-1B cap season.
Looking Ahead: What the Future May Hold
Immigration policies don’t stand still — and neither should you. Here are some things to keep an eye on for FY2027 and beyond:
- System tweaks: USCIS might continue modifying how the lottery works to reduce fraud and reward employers who truly need specialized workers.
- Higher fees and stricter scrutiny: Filing fees have already gone up. It’s possible that future cycles could bring more compliance checks, so get used to keeping your paperwork solid.
- Preference for advanced degrees or higher wages: This idea has been floated before, and it could resurface. If you’re currently pursuing education or a promotion, keep going — it might matter more in the future.
- More digitization: The registration process is online, and petitions could become more automated. Learn how to manage digital filings smoothly.
In short, immigration is not a one-and-done event. It’s an evolving process, and staying informed puts you ahead of the game.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re celebrating your selection or dusting yourself off after a miss, remember this: you’re not alone, and your efforts matter. The H-1B process is complex, competitive, and honestly… kind of exhausting. But it also represents something powerful — your ambition to grow, to challenge yourself, and to be part of something bigger.
Some people get picked on the first try. Others take two, three, or even five attempts. But the ones who stay in the game — they’re the ones who eventually make it. So if you’re still waiting for your moment, don’t lose faith. Stay sharp. Stay connected. Keep planning.
And whenever you need the latest updates, tips, and breakdowns (without the legal mumbo jumbo), check us out at Get Visa Info — your go-to for visa, immigration, travel, culture, and yes, even food. Because chasing your dreams doesn’t stop at the border.
