10 FAQs: H-1B Electronic Registration

H-1B electronic registration is an online system used by USCIS where employers (or their attorneys / legal representatives) submit basic information about each prospective H-1B worker before filing a full petition. Only registrations selected in the lottery are allowed to file the full H-1B cap petition.

Only U.S. employers (and their authorized attorneys / legal representatives) can submit H-1B registrations. The foreign national beneficiary cannot register themselves and cannot file an H-1B petition on their own.

USCIS typically opens the initial H-1B registration period in March for the fiscal year that starts on October 1. Exact dates are announced by USCIS each year and should always be confirmed on the USCIS website.

The registration requires basic information about the employer and the beneficiary, including the beneficiary’s legal name, date of birth, passport details, country of birth and citizenship, and whether they qualify for the advanced degree exemption.

USCIS has also increased fraud detection and compliance reviews, so all data must be accurate and consistent with future petition filings to avoid RFEs, denials, or investigation.

No. USCIS prohibits duplicate registrations for the same beneficiary by the same employer. If duplicates are detected, USCIS may deny or invalidate all registrations filed for that beneficiary by that employer.

If your registration is marked “Selected”, your employer (usually through an attorney) may file a full H-1B cap petition (Form I-129 with supporting documents) during the USCIS-specified filing window, typically 90 days.

USCIS may also conduct multiple selection rounds throughout the year if additional petitions are needed to meet the annual cap, so a “Submitted” status may still move to “Selected” later in the season.

– Submitted: Registration was properly filed and may still be considered in the lottery.

– Not Selected: Registration was not chosen once USCIS finishes all selection rounds.

– Invalidated - Failed Payment: The registration was not valid because the fee payment did not go through successfully.

Not necessarily. You can only start H-1B employment once:

– Your H-1B start date has arrived (usually October 1 or later), and

– You are in H-1B status inside the U.S. (change of status) or have entered the U.S. with an H-1B visa after consular processing.

Yes. If you are already in the U.S. in a valid, eligible status, your employer may request a change of status on the H-1B petition. If approved, your status changes automatically on the effective date without needing a visa stamp, as long as you remain in the U.S.

Yes. Premium processing can only be requested after the employer files a full H-1B petition (Form I-129). Once accepted, USCIS provides a 15-calendar-day response window for certain actions, such as approval, denial, a Request for Evidence (RFE), or a notice of investigation.

However, premium processing cannot be used to expedite the electronic registration stage and does not increase the chances of being selected in the H-1B lottery. It applies only after a registration has been selected and a petition is filed.