The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) concluded the H-1B initial registration process for FY 2026 on March 31, 2025. The required number of electronic registrations has been received to meet the H-1B cap, including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). Selected candidates were notified via their USCIS online accounts and can now begin filing their H-1B petitions.  

This blog will cover all the key updates of the latest notice shared by USCIS to help employers prepare their next move efficiently.  

Key Takeaways for Employers and Petitioners

1. Online account status updates: H-1B applicants can use their USCIS online accounts to check the status of their registration. For more details applicants must check the official H-1B registration process page.  

2. H-1B petition filing begins April 1, 2025: Selected candidates, including those who qualified for the advanced degree exemption, can start filing their H-1B petitions. The petition filing period will last at least 90 days, and only employers with selected beneficiaries can submit their petitions.

3. Filing location and documentation requirements: Selected candidates must make sure to submit their H-1B petition within the indicated filing period at the correct USCIS filing location or online at my.uscis.gov.

When filing an H-1B petition, selected candidates must provide important documents, including:  

• Copy of the selection notice  

• Evidence of the beneficiary’s passport or travel document used at the time of registration

• Other supporting documents to prove their eligibility for H-1B petition approval

4. H-1B lottery selection does not mean approval: Being selected in the H-1B lottery is a milestone but does not guarantee approval. USCIS will only approve your petition if you submit all proper documentation in a timely manner to demonstrate your petition’s legitimacy.  

How can Employers Prepare for their Next Steps?

Now that the H-1B registration process is completed, employers must plan their next steps carefully, as this is a crucial time for both them and the H-1B beneficiaries. However, with the help of an organized approach, employers can smoothly make the right decisions.  

Some actionable steps include:  

1. Verify registration status and prepare documentation: Employers must check their H-1B registration status and, if selected, prepare and collect important documents such as:  

• Beneficiary’s passport

• Educational qualifications and degree evaluations

• Job offers letters and employment agreements

• Labor Condition Application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor

• Detailed job description

• Work experience letters from previous employers (if required)

• Company documents  

• Proof of employer’s ability to pay prevailing wage

• Company’s organizational chart

• Client letters or contracts (for third-party worksites)

Note: Check our comprehensive H-1B visa checklist blog that will help you effortlessly comply with the USCIS guidelines.

2. Ensure timely and accurate filing: The H-1B petition filing will continue for at least 90 days, so selected employers must collect all required documentation, double-check all crucial details to ensure accuracy, and file as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute confusion and hassle.    

3. Consult an immigration attorney: Staying compliant with USCIS guidelines is important, but managing documentation and deadlines can get complex sometimes. To avoid this, employers must consult an experienced immigration attorney who will help them with all the paperwork and filing.  

4. Prepare for RFEs: Even with a strong H-1B petition, employers may receive a Request for Evidence, which can cause delays in the hiring process and in extreme cases, even lead to petition denial.  Employers must address common RFE triggers and keep all documents readily available, including proof of business legitimacy, financial records, and project details.

5. Consider other work visas: Employers with candidates who were not selected in the H-1B lottery can help them explore other work visas that may allow them to work and stay in the U.S.

Summing up

USCIS announced the completion of H-1B initial registration for FY 2026 on March 31, 2025, and all selected candidates have been notified via their online accounts. Employers must gather all important documentation and consult with an experienced immigration attorney to seek expert guidance and strengthen their H-1B petition.  

Staying compliant with the USCIS guidelines is tricky but OnBlick ensures a seamless experience with its compliance-driven strategies, helping you manage deadlines and avoid RFEs.  

Choose success; choose OnBlick. Book complimentary consultation with our experts today!

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