Foreign professionals looking to work in the United States are preparing for the upcoming 2026 H-1B visa season, which introduces key changes to the registration and selection process. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the H-1B visa registration period will open on March 7, 2025, and close by March 24, 2025. During this time, employers can submit registrations for potential beneficiaries. Under the revised selection process, USCIS will continue its beneficiary-centric approach, which aims to prevent system abuse by ensuring that each beneficiary is considered only once, no matter how many registrations are filed on their behalf. This change, introduced in the previous fiscal year, has significantly reduced registration numbers and is expected to improve fairness in the selection process.
 

Key Changes in the H-1B Visa Process for FY 2026

• Registration Period: March 7 to March 24, 2025
• Registration Fee: $215 per beneficiary
• Selection Process: Beneficiary-centric random selection to reduce gaming of the system
• Notification Deadline: Selected registrants will be informed by March 31, 2025

The shift from the old registration-based method to this beneficiary-centric model has resulted in a notable decrease in overall registrations. For the FY 2025 season, USCIS received 470,342 eligible registrations, marking a 38.6% drop from FY 2024’s total of 758,994. Additionally, the average number of registrations per beneficiary decreased from 1.70 in FY 2024 to 1.06 in FY 2025.
 

Step-by-Step Process for FY 2026 H-1B Visa Registration

1. Employers Register Beneficiaries: Employers must submit registrations for their intended employees via the USCIS online portal.
2. Selection Process: USCIS will randomly select unique beneficiaries based on the new beneficiary-centric system.
3. Notification: Selected registrants will receive notifications in their USCIS accounts by March 31, 2025.
4. Petition Submission: Employers of selected beneficiaries will then submit full H-1B cap-subject petitions to USCIS.

Indian Professionals Continue to Dominate H-1B Landscape

Indian professionals remain the leading beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program. In FY 2023, Indian nationals received 72.3% of all H-1B visas issued. Additionally, Indian students contribute significantly to international student job roles in the United States, accounting for 28% of such positions. The H-1B visa program plays a crucial role in allowing skilled professionals, particularly in the tech sector, to work in the U.S. Current regulations permit USCIS to issue 65,000 H-1B visas annually under the general cap, with an additional 20,000 visas reserved for individuals holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
 

Potential Policy Changes Under Donald Trump

With Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House, experts foresee significant changes to U.S. immigration policies. Trump’s administration has previously introduced tighter immigration controls, and similar actions are anticipated if he resumes office. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work temporarily in the U.S. after graduation, may face restrictions or reforms under Trump’s proposed policies. Additionally, stricter regulations are expected on H-1B visas and family-sponsored green cards, potentially limiting the number of visas available to foreign professionals. However, Trump has also proposed the introduction of a Gold Card initiative designed to attract and retain top-tier foreign talent from elite U.S. educational institutions. This proposal aims to streamline the visa process for highly skilled graduates, offering them greater opportunities to work in the United States.

How Foreign Professionals Can Prepare

Given these potential changes, foreign professionals seeking to work in the U.S. are advised to stay updated on USCIS announcements and plan accordingly. Employers should ensure they understand the new registration rules, fee structures, and submission deadlines to avoid missing key dates. With the new beneficiary-centric system improving fairness in the selection process, hopeful applicants should focus on ensuring their qualifications, documentation, and employer submissions are well-prepared for the FY 2026 H-1B visa season. By staying informed and prepared, aspiring professionals can better navigate the evolving U.S. visa landscape and increase their chances of securing an H-1B visa.