Key dates at a glance
| When | Milestone | What employers should do |
|---|---|---|
| Oct – Dec | Candidate planning | List foreign-national hires and OPT/STEM OPT employees needing H-1B; confirm degrees and roles. |
| Jan – Feb | USCIS announces dates | Create or update the USCIS organizational account; collect passports and degree details. |
| Early – mid March | Registration window (about 2 weeks) | Submit one registration per beneficiary and pay the $215 fee. |
| By March 31 | Selection notices | Check the USCIS account; start LCAs for selected candidates. |
| April 1 – June 30 | Petition filing window | File complete I-129 petitions; consider premium processing. |
| July – August | Possible second-round selections | If USCIS runs another round, file within the new window. |
| October 1 | Start date | Approved H-1B workers can begin in H-1B status; cap-gap ends. |
Planning tips
- Identify candidates early. Document gaps, like missing transcripts or credential evaluations, are the main reason employers rush.
- Check cap-gap eligibility for F-1 students. See cap-gap.
- Have an O-1A backup plan for strong candidates who aren't selected. See the O-1A overview.
- Budget for fees with the visa cost calculator.
- H-1B visa overviewEligibility, fees and process
Get ready for cap season.
Gale charges no fee for H-1B cap lottery registration.
Frequently asked questions
When does H-1B registration open?
USCIS typically opens H-1B registration in early-to-mid March for about two weeks and announces the exact dates in January or February.
When are H-1B lottery results announced?
USCIS notifies selected registrants by March 31 through their online accounts.
When can an H-1B cap employee start work?
October 1, the start of the federal fiscal year, or later if the petition is approved after that date.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and processing times change frequently. Confirm current details with USCIS or a licensed immigration attorney.