The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the completion of the initial registration selection process for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 H-1B visa cap. This visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
During the registration period, USCIS received a sufficient number of electronic registrations to meet the annual quota of 85,000 H-1B cap beneficiaries, which includes 65,000 visas under the general cap and an additional 20,000 visas for individuals holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. The agency has completed both the regular and advanced-degree selection lotteries and has notified employers of the selection results through their online accounts.
Notably, the FY 2026 lottery witnessed a significant drop in registrations compared to previous years, attributed to recent reforms aimed at streamlining the process and reducing frivolous applications. These reforms have led to a selection rate of approximately 40%, providing better odds for genuine applicants.
Employers with selected registrations can begin filing H-1B cap-subject petitions starting April 1, 2025. Petitioners must adhere to all filing requirements and deadlines to ensure consideration. USCIS has also indicated that if the annual cap is not met during this initial filing period, additional selections may be made from the existing registrations.
As the H-1B visa program remains a critical pathway for skilled foreign workers to contribute to the U.S. economy, stakeholders are advised to stay informed about ongoing policy changes and procedural updates that may impact future application cycles.