New Delhi: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will close the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap at noon (ET) today (March 24.) After this window, the USCIS notifies prospective petitioners and representatives whose accounts have at least one registration. The process will continue till March 31. This window lasts typically 14 calendar days every year.
What will happen next?
After the initial registration period is closed, selected applicants can start filling the H-1B petition for FY 2026. There will be at least a 90-day period for filing the H-1B cap-subject petition.
When will the next H-1B window open?
According to experts, it is difficult to predict when the FY 2027 H-1B window will open. But as per the current pattern, experts believe the registration window is likely to open in March of 2026. But for the authentic and updated information, applicants must check the USCIS website. For the 2026 H-1B cap season, each registration submitted on behalf of a beneficiary costs $215, reported the Hindustan Times.
It is to be noted that during the H-1B cap season registration, potential petitioners and representatives have to utilize a US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) online account to electronically register each beneficiary for the selection process.
