U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the FY2026 H-1B visa cap results. Registrations for the FY2026 H-1B cap declined significantly this year. Despite this, immigration authorities still rejected two thirds of registrants.

While not the only work visa offered by the U.S., the H-1B is by far the most restrictive. The visa provides work authorization for skilled international workers. The results show the clear impact of both immigration fees and the low annual limit. The cost of filing an H-1B registration increased from $10 to $215. As a result, the USCIS received twenty-seven percent less registrations for FY2026 than they did for FY2025. Although the number decreased, 343,981 registrations were still received. The number of unique employers saw a nine percent increase from the previous year; however, the number of registrations filed per employer decreased by about thirty-three percent.

Another major factor behind the drop in registrations was due to USCIS reforms. These updated policies aimed at curbing multiple registrations for the same beneficiary, coupled with growing employer uncertainty regarding the increasingly strict immigration landscape have led potential beneficiaries to consider other options of acquiring international labor. It’s unknown if the laws restricting H-1B visas will open more employment for U.S. born workers, or simply cause more jobs to leave the U.S.

As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.

FY2026 H-1B Cap H-1B Lottery H-1B Visa USCIS