H1-B Visa Application Process for FY2026

Key Details You Need to Know About the H1-B Visa

The H1-B visa serves as a critical gateway for U.S. employers to recruit skilled foreign professionals in fields including IT, engineering, healthcare, and finance. With increasing demand and updated USCIS guidelines, staying ahead of the process is essential.

Here’s your guide to navigating the H1-B visa application process for FY2026, which kicks off on October 1, 2025.

Who is Eligible for the H1-B Visa Application?

Petitioner: The U.S. employer sponsoring the foreign worker.
Beneficiary: The skilled foreign professional being sponsored for the visa.

Step 1: USCIS Registration

USCIS has implemented a beneficiary-centric registration system to curb multiple submissions for the same applicant and promote transparency.

Key Details:

Employers must register each employee during the designated H1-B registration period. For FY2026, it was held from March 6 to March 22, 2025.
A random selection lottery is conducted by USCIS from the pool of registrations.
Only selected beneficiaries may move forward to the petition process.

Step 2: Petition Filing

Employers whose registrations are selected can proceed to file H1-B petitions.

Important Notes:

The petition filing opened on April 1, 2025.
Approved petitions allow employment to start on October 1, 2025, or later.

Critical FY2026 H1-B Visa Timelines

March 6–22, 2025: Registration period.
April 1, 2025: Earliest date for filing selected petitions.
October 1, 2025: Start date for FY2026 H1-B employment.

Why is the H1-B Visa Program so Important?

The H1-B visa program enables U.S. employers to access a pool of highly educated and skilled professionals, critical for fostering innovation and maintaining global competitiveness. With an annual cap of 85,000 visas (65,000 for the general category and an additional 20,000 for advanced degree holders), securing one requires precise preparation and timing.

Learn More About the H1-B Visa and Application Process

Navigating the H1-B visa process can be challenging, but proper guidance makes all the difference. With over 40 years of immigration law expertise, we specialize in helping employers and foreign professionals tackle the complexities of the system.

🔗 Learn more about the H1-B visa process and make sure you’re prepared for FY2027 before deadlines approach.

Lum Law Group
With over 80 years of combined experience, Lum Law Group is the go-to practice for every small business owner, startup, or business-minded individual!