An important reminder that the FY 2026 H-1B lottery opened last Friday and runs through noon, EST, on March 24, 2025. The H-1B visa is one of the most sought-after pathways for foreign nationals wishing to work in the United States.
What is an H-1B Visa?
An H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. Typically, the job must require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field, such as engineering, IT, finance, healthcare, or other technical sectors.
What is the H-1B Lottery?
The H-1B visa is subject to an annual cap, which means that there are a limited number of visas approved each year. As theses visa are highly competitive, prospective employers who are subject to the cap and hope to hire an H-1B employee must enter their beneficiary in the H-1B Lottery.
How does an Employer Register for the Lottery?
Cap subject employers must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process. Employers must also pay the associated registration fee of $215 for each beneficiary before the registration period ends.
If you would like assistance registering for the H-1B lottery and filing a petition for an employee in the event that your registration is drawn, our experienced immigration law team is here to assist. You may register for a consultation by calling 970-680-1223 or scheduling online. Our U.S. immigration attorneys are licensed to practice immigration law in all 50 states and at consulates and embassies all over the world.
**Please note this is not legal advice and engagement with this post does not create an attorney/client privilege. For specifically tailored legal advice, schedule a consultation.
Current as of March 11, 2025