On July 18, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received a sufficient number of petitions to meet the 65,000 regular H-1B cap and the 20,000 U.S. advanced degree (master’s) cap for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.
According to USCIS, only cap-subject petitions that were properly filed by June 30, 2025, will continue to be processed. There will be no second lottery for the FY 2026 H-1B cap.
USCIS will continue to accept and adjudicate cap-exempt petitions, including:
- Petitions to extend the stay of current H-1B workers;
- Petitions to amend the terms and conditions of current employment;
- Petitions to change employers (H-1B transfer);
- Petitions for concurrent employment in additional H-1B positions;
- Petitions filed on behalf of workers who were previously counted against the cap and who retain their cap number.
What Employers Should Know
If your employee’s registration was not selected in the initial lottery, the FY 2026 cap has now officially closed, and no further selection rounds will occur. Employers should explore alternative visa options or begin planning ahead for the FY 2027 cap season, which will open for registration in early 2026.
We recommend reviewing your current immigration strategies for impacted employees, including:
- Evaluating cap-exempt pathways (e.g., nonprofit or higher education entities);
- Exploring eligibility for other nonimmigrant classifications (e.g., L-1, O-1, TN);
- Preparing for early submission in next year’s cap registration window.
Our firm continues to support employers with cap-exempt H-1B filings, amendments, extensions, and broader immigration planning for international hires. Please reach out to schedule a consultation or to discuss case-specific strategies.
Our Commitment to Supporting Individuals
At Akula & Associates P.C. we are committed to helping individuals navigate their legal options. Please contact us at https://www.akulalaw.com/contact or call to schedule a consultation at (972)-241-4698 today! www.akulalaw.com. Continue to follow and like us on Facebook at Akula & Associates and Instagram at Akulalaw.