The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on July 18, 2025, that it has received a sufficient number of petitions to meet the H-1B visa quota for the fiscal year 2026. This includes both the standard cap of 65,000 visas and the 20,000-visa exemption for applicants holding a US advanced degree, often referred to as the “master’s cap.”
The H-1B visa program allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field. With the statutory caps now reached, USCIS will not accept new H-1B petitions for the 2026 fiscal year that are subject to these limits.
However, the agency will continue to process petitions that are exempt from the annual cap. These exemptions apply to current H-1B visa holders and include petitions to:
- Extend the duration of an H-1B worker’s stay in the United States.
- Modify the terms of employment for existing H-1B workers.
- Permit current H-1B visa holders to change employers.
- Authorize H-1B workers to hold concurrent positions.
USCIS has advised H-1B petitioners to subscribe to its H-1B Cap Season email updates for the latest information.
USCIS Anchorage field office in Alaska. Photo credit: USCIS/Facebook.
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