U.S. Reaches H-1B Visa Cap of 85,000 for Fiscal Year 2026

Key Takeaways

• USCIS reached the FY 2026 H-1B visa cap of 85,000 on July 18, 2025, closing new cap-subject petitions.
• The cap includes 65,000 regular visas and 20,000 for applicants with advanced U.S. degrees.
• Cap-exempt petitions like extensions and transfers continue; next registration opens March 2026 for FY 2027.

As of July 18, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reached the congressionally mandated H-1B Visa Cap for Fiscal Year 2026. This means no new cap-subject H-1B petitions will be accepted for the upcoming fiscal year. The announcement affects thousands of employers and foreign professionals hoping to work in the United States 🇺🇸, highlighting the ongoing high demand for skilled workers and the limits of the current visa system.

The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that require specific knowledge or skills, such as technology, engineering, and healthcare. Each year, Congress sets a limit—called the H-1B Visa Cap—on how many new H-1B visas can be issued. For Fiscal Year 2026, the cap is set at 85,000, which includes 65,000 regular visas and 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.

Key Details on the FY 2026 H-1B Visa Cap

The H-1B Visa Cap for Fiscal Year 2026 is now closed. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will not accept any new H-1B petitions subject to the cap for this fiscal year. The cap consists of:

• 65,000 visas under the regular quota
• 20,000 visas for applicants with advanced degrees from U.S. schools (often called the “master’s cap”)

Employers who want to hire new H-1B workers must now wait until the next fiscal year’s cap opens, which is expected in March 2026 for Fiscal Year 2027. However, some petitions are not affected by the cap. These include:

• Extensions for current H-1B employees
• Changes to terms of employment
• Transfers to new employers
• Requests for concurrent H-1B employment

If a worker has already been counted under a previous year’s cap, their petition is not affected by the closure and will continue to be processed.

How the FY 2026 H-1B Cap Was Reached

The process for the H-1B Visa Cap in Fiscal Year 2026 followed the same steps as recent years. Here’s how it worked:

1. Electronic Registration (March 2025): Employers submitted electronic registrations for potential H-1B workers.
2. Lottery Selection (March 31, 2025): USCIS randomly selected enough registrations to meet the cap. For FY 2026, about 118,660 unique beneficiaries were chosen, which is about 35.3% of all registrants.
3. Notification: Selected registrants were notified and became eligible to file full H-1B petitions.
4. Petition Filing (April 1 – June 30, 2025): Employers filed Form I-129 petitions for their selected workers. Due to technical issues on the last day, the deadline for online filings was extended to July 1, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
5. Cap Reached Announcement (July 18, 2025): USCIS confirmed it had received enough petitions to meet the cap and closed acceptance of new cap-subject petitions.

Petitions must show an employment start date of no earlier than October 1, 2025, and no more than six months from the petition receipt date to be accepted. Employers who missed the cap must now wait for the next cycle.

What Happens to Cap-Exempt Petitions?

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to the annual cap. Cap-exempt petitions can still be filed and processed. These include:

• Extensions for current H-1B workers (to continue working for the same employer)
• Changes in employment terms (such as job title or salary)
• Transfers to new employers
• Concurrent employment (when a worker holds more than one H-1B job)

This means that while the cap is closed for new applicants, current H-1B workers and their employers can still make changes to their employment status.

Why Is the H-1B Visa Cap Important?

The H-1B visa program is a key way for U.S. employers to fill jobs that require special skills, especially in fields like technology, engineering, and healthcare. The cap is set by Congress and has not changed for many years, even though demand for skilled workers keeps rising. When the number of registrations exceeds the cap, USCIS uses a lottery system to select who can apply.

This year, as in previous years, demand far outstripped supply. Many employers and workers were left disappointed when their registrations were not selected. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the high demand for H-1B visas shows that the U.S. labor market continues to need skilled workers from abroad, especially in fast-growing industries.

Impacts on Employers and Workers

For employers, reaching the H-1B Visa Cap means they cannot hire new H-1B workers for Fiscal Year 2026 unless their petition is cap-exempt. This can disrupt hiring plans, especially for companies that rely on foreign talent to fill key roles. Employers must now wait until the next registration period, expected in March 2026, to try again for Fiscal Year 2027.

For workers, not being selected in the lottery can be a major setback. Many foreign students and professionals hope to start or continue their careers in the United States 🇺🇸. If they are not selected, they may need to look for other visa options, such as:

• F-1 student visa extensions (OPT/STEM OPT)
• L-1 intracompany transfer visas
• O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability
• TN visas for Canadian 🇨🇦 and Mexican professionals under NAFTA/USMCA

Some may have to leave the United States 🇺🇸 if they cannot secure another legal status.

Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives

Immigration law experts say the quick closure of the H-1B Visa Cap for Fiscal Year 2026 is no surprise. The program has seen strong demand for years, especially from technology and engineering companies. Many experts argue that the cap is too low to meet the needs of the U.S. economy.

“Every year, we see far more registrations than available visas,” said an immigration attorney based in Silicon Valley. “This leaves many employers and talented workers in limbo. There is a clear need for Congress to revisit the cap and consider reforms.”

Employers also stress the importance of planning ahead. “Companies need to start preparing months in advance,” said a human resources manager at a large tech firm. “Accurate registration and timely petition filing are key to maximizing chances in the lottery.”

Some advocacy groups and business leaders are calling for legislative changes to increase the cap or create new visa categories for skilled workers. They argue that the current system creates bottlenecks and makes it harder for the United States 🇺🇸 to stay competitive in the global economy.

Background: How the H-1B Visa Cap Works

The H-1B visa program was created to help U.S. employers fill jobs that require special knowledge or skills. To qualify, a job must require at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specific field. The worker must also have the required education and experience.

Each year, Congress sets a limit on how many new H-1B visas can be issued. The current cap is 85,000, which includes:

• 65,000 regular H-1B visas
• 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees from U.S. schools

If more registrations are received than the cap allows, USCIS uses a random lottery to select who can apply. This system has been in place for many years, and the cap has not changed despite ongoing debates.

In recent years, USCIS has moved to an electronic registration system, which makes the process faster and more transparent. Employers submit basic information about the worker and the job, and only those selected in the lottery can file full petitions.

Step-by-Step: The FY 2026 H-1B Cap Process

Here’s a simple breakdown of how the process worked for Fiscal Year 2026:

1. Employers registered electronically in March 2025.
2. USCIS held a lottery on March 31, 2025, selecting about 35.3% of registrants.
3. Selected employers were notified and allowed to file full petitions.
4. Petition filing opened on April 1, 2025, and closed on June 30, 2025 (with an online extension to July 1, 2025).
5. USCIS announced on July 18, 2025, that the cap was reached and closed new cap-subject filings.
6. Cap-exempt petitions continue to be accepted and processed.

Employers filing petitions must use Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and include all required supporting documents.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Employers and Workers?

With the H-1B Visa Cap reached for Fiscal Year 2026, employers and workers must look to the future. The next registration period for Fiscal Year 2027 is expected to open in March 2026. Employers should:

• Start preparing early by reviewing job needs and identifying potential candidates
• Ensure compliance with all USCIS requirements for registration and petition filing
• Monitor USCIS announcements for any changes to the process or deadlines

Workers who were not selected in the lottery should talk to their employers and immigration advisors about alternative visa options or ways to maintain legal status in the United States 🇺🇸.

Possible Changes and Legislative Discussions

There is ongoing debate in Congress about whether to raise the H-1B Visa Cap or create new visa categories for skilled workers. Some lawmakers argue that the cap is too low and does not reflect the needs of the U.S. economy. Others worry about the impact on American workers and want to keep the cap where it is.

USCIS may also update its policies or improve its electronic systems to reduce technical problems during the filing window. Employers and workers should stay informed by subscribing to H-1B cap season updates and checking the USCIS H-1B Cap Season Page for the latest information.

Practical Guidance for Employers and Applicants

If you are an employer:

• Plan ahead for the next H-1B cap season by identifying key roles and potential foreign hires early
• Work with experienced immigration professionals to ensure accurate and timely filings
• Stay updated on USCIS announcements and possible changes to the process

If you are a worker:

• Talk to your employer about your options if you were not selected in the lottery
• Explore alternative visa categories that may fit your background and job offer
• Monitor your legal status and make plans to maintain it if possible

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

For the most up-to-date information on the H-1B Visa Cap, registration, and filing instructions, visit the USCIS H-1B Cap Season Page. You can also check the Department of State Visa Bulletin for updates on visa availability and priority dates.

Employers often use specialized immigration law firms or corporate immigration service providers for help with the process. USCIS also provides contact options through its website for case status updates and technical support.

Conclusion: What This Means for the Immigration Community

The closure of the H-1B Visa Cap for Fiscal Year 2026 is a reminder of the strong demand for skilled workers in the United States 🇺🇸 and the limits of the current system. While the cap helps manage the number of new foreign workers, it also leaves many employers and talented professionals waiting for another chance.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing high demand for H-1B visas highlights the need for possible reforms to better match the needs of the U.S. economy. Until then, employers and workers must plan carefully, stay informed, and explore all available options.

For those affected by the cap, the best steps are to prepare early for the next cycle, seek expert advice, and keep up with official updates from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. With careful planning and timely action, both employers and workers can improve their chances in future H-1B cap seasons.

Learn Today

H-1B Visa Cap → Annual limit set by Congress on new H-1B visas issued for specialty occupations.
Cap-exempt Petitions → H-1B petitions not subject to the annual visa limit, including extensions and transfers.
Electronic Registration → USCIS online process where employers submit basic info to enter the H-1B lottery.
Lottery Selection → Random USCIS drawing selecting registrations to meet the visa cap when demand exceeds supply.
Form I-129 → USCIS petition form filed by employers to sponsor H-1B workers for nonimmigrant status.

This Article in a Nutshell

The H-1B visa cap for FY 2026 is reached, closing new applications. Employers and workers must plan for the next cycle opening March 2026, while some petitions remain cap-exempt. Demand remains high, highlighting the need for reforms in the U.S. skilled worker visa system to meet economic needs.
— By VisaVerge.com