Employers in the United States who wish to sponsor employees for an H-1B visa must register each candidate online through a USCIS account and pay a $215 registration charge per beneficiary during this period.
What Employers Need to Know:
- An organizational account must be established by employers who do not already have one, as a USCIS online account is mandatory. If you had an H-1B registrant account but did not utilize it, it will be converted to an organizational account upon your login.
- Individuals who are new to the platform: You have the option to establish an account at any moment if you have not previously registered.
- When registrations should be submitted: Representatives may add clients at any time; however, beneficiary details and payments may only be submitted beginning at noon.
- USCIS will arbitrarily select beneficiaries (not individual registrations) and notify the selected petitioners.
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Changes for FY 2026:
USCIS has introduced several improvements for the upcoming H-1B registration season:
- Paralegals can now collaborate with multiple attorneys through a single account.
- Streamlined legal team collaboration: Legal representatives can more easily add paralegals to company accounts.
- Pre-populated form data: Based on the specified registrations, specific fields on Form I-129 will automatically populate.
- Spreadsheet upload feature: Employers have the option to prepare beneficiary data in a spreadsheet and submit it to the system to expedite the registration process.
Payment Updates:
In order to facilitate bulk registrations, the U.S. Department of Treasury has provisionally increased the daily credit card transaction limit from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 for the FY 2026 H-1B season. Prior authorization may be required for ACH transactions by certain institutions, and payments exceeding this amount must be processed through the Automated Clearing House (ACH).
H-1B Lottery Registration Process 2025:
If you’re planning to work in the United States on an H-1B visa in FY 2025, understanding the H-1B lottery registration process is essential. Every year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) opens a limited registration window during which employers must submit electronic entries for prospective foreign workers.
This guide walks you through how to register for H-1B with USCIS, key deadlines, fees, and how the H-1B selection results are announced.
What Is the H-1B Electronic Registration System?
The H-1B electronic registration system was introduced by USCIS to simplify and streamline the lottery process. Instead of submitting a full petition upfront, employers now first register their candidates online through the USCIS myUSCIS account H-1B portal.
Once registration is submitted and the lottery is conducted, selected applicants are invited to file full H-1B cap-subject petitions.
How to Register for H-1B with USCIS:
To participate in the 2025 H-1B lottery, employers must complete the following steps:
- Create a myUSCIS Account
Employers or authorized representatives must first create a USCIS myUSCIS account. Choose the “registrant” account type. - Wait for the Registration Window
The H-1B registration timeline for 2025 will likely open in early March and run for about two weeks. Exact dates will be published on the USCIS website. - Submit Registrations Electronically
Using the online portal, employers can submit basic details about the employer and each beneficiary (foreign worker). Each registration corresponds to one applicant. - Pay the H-1B Registration Fees
As of 2024, the H-1B registration fee is $10 per beneficiary. This is paid online at the time of submission. - Receive Selection Notification
After the registration period closes, USCIS conducts a random lottery. H-1B selection results are then posted to each employer’s myUSCIS account.
Check Also: USCIS Increase Investment Revenue Thresholds for Foreigners
Understanding H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions:
If selected in the lottery, the employer has a specific filing window (usually 90 days) to submit a complete H-1B cap-subject petition for the employee, including supporting documents, fees, and forms.
USCIS accepts 85,000 total H-1B petitions per fiscal year, divided into:
- Regular Cap: 65,000 visas
- Master’s Cap: 20,000 additional visas for candidates with a U.S. master’s or higher degree
Applicants with U.S. advanced degrees get two chances—first in the master’s cap lottery, then again in the regular cap if not selected.
H-1B Registration for Employers:
Employers must initiate the process—foreign workers cannot register themselves. Here’s what employers need to know:
- Each employer can only submit one registration per candidate. Duplicate entries will be rejected.
- Employers may register multiple different candidates.
- After lottery selection, only selected registrants can proceed with the full petition filing.
Employers should also distinguish between H-1B registration vs petition: registration is only the first step; the petition involves submitting all supporting documentation and fees to USCIS for approval.
Important H-1B Registration Timeline:
While USCIS has not yet released official 2025 dates, based on previous years, here’s what to expect:
- Account Creation Begins: Late February 2025
- Registration Opens: Early March 2025
- Registration Deadline: Mid to Late March 2025
- Lottery Selection Results Released: Late March 2025
- H-1B Petition Filing Window: April to June 2025
H-1B Petition vs Registration: What’s the Difference?
| H-1B Registration | H-1B Petition |
|---|---|
| Simple online entry via USCIS portal | Full documentation submitted to USCIS |
| Includes basic info only | Includes job offer, credentials, employer details |
| Costs $10 | Costs several hundred to thousands of dollars |
| Lottery determines selection | USCIS evaluates eligibility and approves/rejects |
Final Thoughts:
The H-1B lottery registration process is a crucial first step for employers seeking to sponsor foreign professionals for employment in the U.S. With only a limited number of visas available each year, timely and accurate registration via the USCIS H-1B online registration portal is essential.
Make sure you understand the H-1B cap-subject petition process, monitor the H-1B registration timeline for 2025, and stay compliant with all USCIS H-1B rules and fees
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What is USCIS H-1B Registration?
H-1B registration is an online process required for U.S. employers to submit basic information about prospective H-1B workers before filing a full visa petition. It’s a mandatory first step in the H-1B visa lottery process.
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When does the H-1B registration period open?
It typically opens in March each year. USCIS announces the exact dates in advance. Selected registrants may file full petitions beginning April 1.
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Who can submit an H-1B registration?
Only U.S. employers or their authorized legal representatives can submit H-1B registrations. Prospective employees (foreign nationals) cannot register themselves.
