Athira Sethu
Kochi, 2 April 2025
The United States has finished the initial step of the H-1B visa process for 2026. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received sufficient registrations to meet the annual H-1B cap, including both the regular and advanced degree categories. USCIS randomly selected sufficient applicants from the registrations to satisfy the quota required, and those selected have been informed. Applicants can verify their registration status through their USCIS online accounts.
The H-1B filing window opens on April 1, 2025, and will remain open for a minimum of 90 days. Only selected applicants can file petitions. They need to file their applications online or at the proper site. Petitioners must attach the notice of selection, evidence of the passport or travel document of the beneficiary, and documents to prove that the beneficiary is eligible for the visa.
Then, the employers and the chosen applicants should verify the registration status, prepare the petition, and file all required documents, such as Form I-129 and evidence that the position is a specialty occupation. They will also need to demonstrate that the beneficiary qualifies educationally and with experience and submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) authenticated by the Department of Labor.
USCIS will examine the petitions after this. The outcomes can include approval, a request for additional documents, or denial if the petition is not in compliance with the required conditions. If certain petitions are withdrawn or denied, USCIS may conduct another lottery to fill the vacancies.
This year, the H-1B process has been altered to minimize fraud and ensure the lottery system is more equitable. Any individual is counted just once even if they are registered by more than one employer. Filing fees for H-1B petitions have been raised from April 2024. The registration fee has been raised from $10 to $215, and the Form I-129 filing fee has been raised for small employers as well as large employers. USCIS will also scrutinize petitions to ensure the job is commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications.
