In part one of this two-part podcast series on H-1B visa applications, Kara Lancaster (shareholder, Raleigh) and Meagan Dziura (of counsel, Raleigh) discuss recent updates from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and provide valuable insights on how to prepare for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B lottery. Meagan and Kara cover the basics of the H-1B visa, its benefits, and why it is a popular choice among employers. They share practical tips on what steps you can take now to prepare for the registration window, which typically opens in early March, including updates from USCIS and the importance of early planning. The conversation also covers the benefits of the H-1B visa, recent changes to the registration process, and the impact of increased fees on employers.