Key Update on H-1B Visas

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a key update regarding H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2026-27. The agency announced that it received enough petitions to meet the annual cap of 85,000 visas. The deadline given to employers to submit complete petitions for selected applicants ended on June 30, 2026, making a second lottery unlikely this year.

The US issues 85,000 H-1B visas annually for foreign professionals hired by American companies, including 65,000 regular cap visas and 20,000 under the master’s cap category. USCIS reported receiving 211,000 registrations for FY 2026-27, a 38.5 percent decline compared to the previous year’s 343,000 registrations. Under the new selection process, higher-paid and highly skilled workers may receive greater preference, while lower-wage positions could have fewer chances. USCIS said selection details will be announced soon.