The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) completed the H-1B selection process for the 2026 fiscal year (FY). The agency received enough electronic registrations to reach the FY 2026 H-1B allocations. All beneficiaries were randomly selected as needed to reach the H-1B cap.

Registrants are notified of their status via their online USCIS accounts. Afterwards, selected beneficiaries must notify their selected business sponsors. All businesses with accepted offers for selected beneficiaries are required to submit an H-1B cap-subject petition on their behalf. The filing period for all H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, begins on April 1, 2025.

H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026 can only be filed by petitioners with selected beneficiaries. All cap-subject petitions must be filed properly and at the correct filing location or online. Cap-subject petitions must be submitted within the filing period indicated on the beneficiary selection notice.

When submitting a cap-subject petition, petitioners must have all the required documents, and potentially additional documents maximize the chances of smooth submission. The required documents include:

  • A copy of the applicable selection notice with the FY 2026 H-1B cap-subject petition
  • Form of identification used at the time of registration, which can be either:
    • Beneficiary’s valid passport at the time of registration
    • Valid travel document at the time of registration

Petitioners are highly encouraged to consult with their beneficiary to determine which documents they used to initially register. It takes an estimated 90 days to process the H-1B cap-subject petition. Petitioners should keep this in mind after submission.

H-1B visa acceptance is a different process from eligibility selection. Petitioners are required to resubmit evidence of their beneficiary’s eligibility. If not selected, individuals still have a chance of becoming eligible if there are additional selections. Otherwise, individuals are highly encouraged to contact immigration law professionals to discuss other potential avenues.

As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.

FY 2026 H-1B