2025 H-1B Lottery Updates

Introduction

There are 85,000 visas available for the H-1B program each fiscal year!

For certain specialty occupations, US-based employers and companies can sponsor and temporarily employ foreign workers, bringing them to the US on an H-1B Visa. Like many other visas, there is a specific annual limit on the number of H-1B visas that can be issued in the cap category. 

If you want to travel to the US on an H-1B visa, it is important to regularly check updates regarding the H-1B lottery, which is conducted every year to select foreign workers who will be allowed to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. 

H-1B Visa Cap Reached for FY 2026

The USCIS has recently informed that it has received enough electronic registrations to reach the H-1B visa annual cap for fiscal year 2026. This means that the USCIS now has registrations to meet the annual limits of 65,000 and 20,000 for the regular and advanced degree exemptions (individuals with a master’s degree or higher from a US university), respectively. 

Can You Still Apply for an H-1B Visa?

If you have been selected in the 2025 H-1B visa lottery, from 01 April 2025 to 30 June 2025, you can submit your H-1B application by filing your Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker, and paying the required filing fee.

If you have not been selected in this lottery round, you may still be able to work at your dream US company. Here’s what you can do:

Wait for Subsequent Rounds of the H-1B Visa Lottery

The USCIS may conduct a second or third H-1B visa lottery round. For FY2025, the USCIS conducted two lottery rounds, selecting 13,607 beneficiaries in the second selection round. 

If you have a valid registration showing submitted on the registration window (and not invalidated, failed payment, or not selected), you may still get a chance to apply for an H-1B visa, though your chances depend on the number of registrations received by USCIS. 

H-1B Visa Cap Exemption 

You can also consider applying under the H-1B cap-exempt category. Certain employers, including institutions of higher education, affiliated nonprofit entities, and nonprofit research organizations, are exempt from the annual cap on the H-1B visa. 

Apply for Other Categories of Work Visas

There are many other work visa categories that you can pursue, such as:

1. E-1 and E-2 Visas: For treaty traders and investors from countries with a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation with the US, you can go for an E-1 or an E-2 visa.
2. L-1 Visa: The L-1 visa may be used for intra-company transfers of employees in managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge roles.
3. O-1 Visa: Individuals with extraordinary abilities in science, arts, education, athletics, or business may be eligible for an O-1 visa.
4. TN Visa: Citizens of Canada and Mexico entering the US under the NAFTA (USMCA) agreement can apply for a TN visa. 

Conclusion

If your employer wants to sponsor you only under the H-1B category, you can wait for FY2027 and be proactive by ensuring a perfect filing of your registration form, so that immigration technicalities and legal jargon do not become hurdles. You should consult an expert immigration attorney to learn more about your work visa options.

How Can FileRight Help You Get The Perfect US Work Visa?  

Having the right immigration experts by your side can make all the difference. With our years of experience helping thousands of immigrants, FileRight enables you to explore the right options for your US work visa and minimizes the chances of mistakes through our error-free application software and personalized application instructions.

Book a consultation with an expert immigration team to start your work visa application process!