US announces H-1B visa application dates for 2026, process to begin on March 7

Washington: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that applications for H-1B visas for the year 2026 will be accepted from March 7 to March 24.

The H-1B visa program allows US companies to hire foreign skilled workers, with a significant number of beneficiaries from India and China.

According to USCIS, applicants must submit their applications online through the official website, with a processing fee of $215. The US Department of Immigration has also introduced measures to prevent fraudulent applications.

Each year, approximately 650,000 foreign skilled workers enter the US under the H-1B visa program, which permits temporary employment in specialized sectors requiring specific expertise and educational qualifications.

The latest H-1B visa regulations, issued by the US Department of Homeland Security, came into effect on January 17, 2025.

The H-1B visa program, introduced in 1990, remains a contentious issue in US politics. While some pro-Trump leaders have called for restrictions, figures such as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have expressed support for the program.

Donald Trump has also backed the H-1B visa, despite opposition from some within his political circle.