The FY2026 H‑1B Lottery Made Simple
Your step-by-step roadmap to the new $215 fee, the passport requirement, and everything else you need to know for a smooth registration.
Personal Note: Filing My Intern’s H‑1B Without a Lawyer
I recently posted in my WhatsApp founders’ group:
“I’m filing the H-1B lottery for one of my interns at the end of the month. I’ll do it myself—no attorney needed right now. I just need the job description and salary.”
Cue the onslaught of questions:
“How are you doing this without an attorney?”
“Do we need an actual job offer, or can we just register someone not yet employed?”
“Is a valid salary range required at this stage?”
The truth is, I am sponsoring my intern’s H-1B. And while lawyers can be incredibly helpful, it’s not strictly required just to get through the initial lottery registration. In fact, I’ve decided to do it solo and document every step—partly for cost reasons, partly for the learning experience, and partly because I like having hands-on control.
Below is my personal guide on how you can register for the FY2026 H‑1B lottery—from key deadlines and the new $215 fee to the mandatory passport requirement. This process is perfectly doable without hiring a law firm for the registration phase (though you might want professional help later when filing the formal petition). Let’s dive in.1
Quick Overview
Registration Period: March 7, 2025 (noon ET) – March 24, 2025 (noon ET)
Fee: $215 per beneficiary (increased from $10 last year)
Passport Required: Valid passport number needed for each registration
Lottery Results: Expected by March 31, 2025
Why This Year Is Different
Steeper Registration Fee: USCIS has raised the registration fee from $10 to $215, making it costlier for employers submitting multiple registrations.
Beneficiary-Centric Selection: No matter how many employers file for the same person, each individual only gets one spot in the lottery. Duplicate entries mean disqualification.
Passport Requirement: Every beneficiary must have a valid, unexpired passport; the number is now mandatory in registration forms.
For Employers (Petitioners)
1. Prep or Create Your USCIS Account
Existing Accounts: Make sure your login works.
New Accounts: Register for a USCIS online employer (or attorney) account if you don’t already have one.
2. Verify Your Company Profile
Double-check your company name, EIN, and address. Inaccuracies can get your registrations denied.
3. Gather Beneficiary Info
You’ll need each candidate’s:
Full legal name (exactly as in passport)
Valid passport number
Date of birth, country of birth/citizenship
Job title or basic job description
4. Submit Registrations (March 7–24)
Add each beneficiary’s details.
Confirm no duplication across your organization.
Pay the $215 fee per employee.
5. Watch for Lottery Results
By March 31, 2025, USCIS will post lottery outcomes.
If selected, you can file the full H‑1B petition (Form I‑129) in the designated window.
For Employees (Beneficiaries)
1. Provide Accurate Details
Name, passport number, date of birth—everything must match your passport.
Keep your passport valid. If it’s expiring soon, alert your employer or attorney.
2. Avoid Duplicate Registrations
While multiple employers can each file if you truly have separate job offers, any coordinated duplicates just to boost lottery odds can lead to disqualification.
3. Track Your Visa Status
If you’re on OPT, STEM OPT, F‑1, or L‑1, share the latest documents with your employer.
After selection, your employer files the formal petition; you’ll likely need transcripts, EAD cards, or updated I‑20s.
4. Have a Backup Plan
If not selected, consider cap-exempt H‑1B roles (e.g., with a university), O‑1 visas, or wait for future lotteries.
Common Pitfalls
Waiting Until the Last Minute: Technical glitches happen. Try to register before March 24 to avoid possible website slowdowns.
Typos and Inaccuracies: Simple mistakes (misspelled names, wrong passport numbers) can get your registration denied. Double-check everything.
Fee Budgeting: $215 per entry adds up for large employers. Plan for this increase.
Fraud Scrutiny: USCIS is more vigilant about duplicate entries. Make sure each registration is legitimate and tied to a genuine job offer.
What Happens Next?
If Selected: Your employer will complete a full H‑1B petition, including a Labor Condition Application (LCA), typically starting in April.
If Not Selected: USCIS may do subsequent rounds if they don’t receive enough petitions from the initial pool. Otherwise, explore other visa or immigration options.
Sources
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Good luck with your FY2026 H-1B lottery registration!
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. These steps are based on publicly available USCIS guidelines and my firsthand experience as a founder and H-1B sponsor.