The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the completion of the initial registration selection process for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B visa program. With enough electronic registrations submitted, USCIS has randomly selected beneficiaries to meet the H-1B numerical allocations, including the advanced degree exemption (commonly referred to as the master’s cap).
Registrants’ online accounts will display a registration status. For more information, visit the H-1B Electronic Registration Process page.
H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may be filed with USCIS beginning April 1, 2025, if filed for a selected beneficiary and based on a valid registration. Only petitioners with registrations for selected beneficiaries may file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026.
An H-1B cap-subject petition must be properly filed at the correct filing location or online at my.uscis.gov and within the filing period indicated on the relevant selection notice. The period for filing the H-1B cap-subject petition will be at least 90 days. Petitioners must include a copy of the applicable selection notice with the FY 2026 H-1B cap-subject petition.
Petitioners must also submit evidence of the beneficiary’s valid passport or travel document used at the time of registration to identify the beneficiary.
Petitioners filing for selected beneficiaries based on their valid registration must still submit evidence or otherwise establish eligibility for petition approval, as registration and selection only pertains to eligibility to file the H-1B cap-subject petition.
For more information, visit the H-1B Cap Season page.
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