H-1B Registration Period for FY 2026 Now Open

The H-1B registration window for the FY 2026 lottery officially opened on March 7 and will remain open until 12 PM EST on March 24, 2025.

For this cycle, the registration fee has increased significantly from $10 to $215. Additionally, USCIS will continue utilizing the beneficiary-centric selection system introduced in 2025.

If USCIS receives enough unique beneficiary registrations by the March 24 deadline, selections will be made through a random lottery process, with notifications sent by March 31, 2025.

Proposed Rule to Require Social Media Disclosure

USCIS has introduced a proposed rule that would require certain applicants to disclose their social media handles on immigration forms. The agency states that this measure is necessary for "verification, vetting, national security screening, and inspection" and is in line with a past executive order titled Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.

The public has until May 5, 2025, to submit comments on the proposal.

USCIS Updates NTA Policy Guidance

In late February, USCIS issued a new internal policy memorandum directing the agency to initiate removal proceedings under certain conditions. Specifically, USCIS must now issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) when denying a foreign national’s benefit request if the individual is unlawfully present in the U.S. This includes those whose status has expired at the time of denial or those lacking authorization to remain.

USCIS Revises Multiple Forms

Last week, USCIS updated several key forms, including:

• I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

• G-325A – Biographic Information (for Deferred Action)

• I-134 – Declaration of Financial Support

• I-192 – Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant

Each of these forms now carries an edition date of 1/20/25, and beginning March 3, 2025, USCIS will reject any submissions using older versions.

Alien Registration Rule Nears Implementation

In February, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to establish a national registry for undocumented immigrants. Under this program, individuals who entered the U.S. without a visa and are over the age of 14 would be required to register and provide fingerprints.

Last week, the rule finalizing this registration process cleared its review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)—the final step before formal publication. The final rule is now expected to be released imminently.