Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced that it has received enough applications to meet the H-1B visa cap for the 2026 fiscal year. This includes both the 65,000 regular cap visas and the 20,000 advanced degree exemptions (for U.S. master’s degree holders).
But there’s some good news too — certain categories of applicants can still file. If you’re planning to apply or are already on an H-1B visa, here’s what you need to know.
Why This Matters for Indians
Indians make up a major share of H-1B visa applicants every year. The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals with specialized skills — typically in fields like tech, engineering, finance, and healthcare.
Over the years, Indian nationals have consistently dominated the H-1B pool, making this update especially relevant for skilled Indian workers and students aiming to work in the U.S.
What Happens Now?
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions to reach:
- The 65,000 regular cap
- The 20,000 advanced degree exemption cap (for those with U.S. master’s or higher degrees)
This means the lottery for FY 2026 is now closed for these categories.
However, USCIS will continue to accept petitions that are exempt from the cap, including:
- Requests to extend stay for current H-1B workers
- Petitions to change employment terms for current H-1B holders
- Petitions to change employers
- Requests for H-1B workers to take up a second job
So if you’re already on an H-1B and planning a job switch or renewal, you’re still in the clear.
Drop in Registrations in 2026 Compared to 2025
USCIS also shared some statistics that show a noticeable decline in the number of H-1B registrations this year:
- For FY 2026, USCIS received 343,981 eligible registrations
- Of these, 7,828 individuals submitted multiple registrations
- USCIS selected only 120,141 registrations for the lottery
- In contrast, for FY 2025, USCIS received 470,342 eligible registrations
- 47,314 individuals had multiple entries
- 135,137 registrations were selected
That’s a 26.9% drop in total eligible registrations compared to the previous year.
USCIS also mentioned that in FY 2026, there was an average of 1.01 registrations per applicant, down from 1.06 in FY 2025. This suggests that most individuals only submitted one registration each, a shift likely driven by new anti-fraud measures.
Bottom Line
If you’re applying for an H-1B visa under the cap, the window has closed for FY 2026. But if you’re already working in the U.S. on an H-1B and need an extension, a role change, or want to switch employers — you can still file your petition.
For Indians aiming for U.S. work opportunities, it’s a reminder to plan ahead, follow updates closely, and stay informed about cap deadlines and eligibility rules.
