Employer guides · Updated June 2026 · 9 min read

Employer H-1B Sponsorship Checklist for 2026

Step-by-step checklist for U.S. employers sponsoring H-1B workers: lottery, LCA, I-129, fees, timelines, and document collection.

Before you file

Confirm the role is a specialty occupation and the wage meets prevailing wage.
Gather company info: EIN, legal name, NAICS, employee counts, authorized signatory.
Determine cap subject vs. cap exempt (lottery required for most first-time cases).

Filing workflow

Lottery registration ($999 on h1bfiling.com) if cap-subject.
Certify LCA with DOL — prevailing wage, notice posting, PAF.
Prepare and file Form I-129 ($2,999 service fee; USCIS fees separate).
Track receipt, RFE responses, and approval.

See our full H-1B filing guide for timelines and document lists.

Run your checklist on h1bfiling.com

Company profile, case tracking, candidate invites, and lawyer review in one place.

Read the filing guide

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — consult qualified counsel for your case.