The registration period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 H-1B CAP officially closed on March 24, 2025. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will notify employers whose registrations have been selected through the lottery by March 31, 2025. Due to the substantial demand for H-1B visas, USCIS utilizes a randomized lottery system to ensure equitable selection. The available cap for FY 2026 is 85,000 H-1B visas, with 65,000 allocated for general applicants and an additional 20,000 reserved for individuals holding a U.S. advanced degree. Employers whose registrations are selected will be permitted to submit complete H-1B petitions for adjudication by USCIS.
Upon receipt of the selection notice, employers whose registrations are chosen in the lottery must submit fully prepared H-1B petitions, including all requisite documentation and applicable fees, within the prescribed filing window. These petitions will be subject to thorough examination by USCIS to determine compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements governing the H-1B visa program, including whether the beneficiary qualifies for the designated specialty occupation. If USCIS approves the petition, the employer will be authorized to employ the foreign worker pursuant to the terms of the approved petition. The H-1B visa remains an essential instrument for U.S. employers seeking to fulfill workforce needs in specialized fields, including technology, healthcare, and engineering.
For those employers and applicants whose registrations were not selected, the conclusion of the FY 2026 registration period highlights the highly competitive nature of the H-1B visa process. In light of the limited number of available visas and the increasing demand for foreign professionals, many applicants may opt to participate in subsequent registration periods. As the need for skilled labour continues to escalate, the H-1B program serves as a critical mechanism for attracting global talent and addressing workforce requirements in various sectors of the U.S. economy. Additionally, while the final numbers are yet to be confirmed, it can be assumed that more than 500,000 entries were received for FY 2026, further underscoring the intense competition for these limited visa slots.
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FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7 | USCIS
