On 3/31/2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had received enough electronic registrations during the registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B numerical allocations for the H-1B cap, including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap).

USCIS randomly selected from the registrations submitted to reach the cap. Our office is in the process of notifying the employers and the beneficiaries they registered who were selected in the H-1B lottery this year. Then will then begin to notify the individuals who were not selected in the lottery. This process should be complete by the end of next week.

FY2026 H-1B Cap Petitions May Be Filed from April 1 - June 30

H-1B cap-subject petitions that were selected in the lottery, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may be filed with USCIS from April 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025.

Only petitioners with selected registrations may file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY2026, and only for the beneficiary named in the selected registration notice.

Please note that regardless of when the H-1B petition is filed with the USCIS during the filing period, the H-1B start date will not be prior to October 1, 2025.

Premium Processing

While there is typically no need for it, FY2026 H-1B cap cases may be filed under premium processing, if requested.

Receipt Notice Delays

When USCIS receives a timely and properly filed H-1B cap subject petition, the petitioner (and, if applicable, the petitioner’s legal representative) will be provided a Form I-797, Receipt Notice, confirming receipt of the petition. Once our office receives the Receipt Notice, we will notify the petitioner and beneficiary of the case number so you can track the progress of the petition on the USCIS website.

Due to increased filing volumes typically seen during H-1B cap filing periods, there maybe instances where a petition is timely and properly filed, but issuance of the Form I-797 is delayed.