USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap

On March 31, 2025 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received enough electronic registrations to meet the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B visa cap, including the 20,000 advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap. This cap is specifically allocated for individuals who hold U.S. master’s degree or higher. USCIS has randomly selected beneficiaries from the pool of properly submitted registrations and notified petitioners whose beneficiaries were selected to file an H-1B cap-subject petition.

Registrants can check their online accounts for the status of their submissions. Those selected will be eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026.

If your beneficiary has been selected, petitioners can begin filing H-1B cap-subject petitions starting on April 1, 2025. Petitions must be filed with USCIS within the specified filing window, which will be open for at least 90 days, and through June 30,2025. It’s important to include a copy of the selection notice with the petition when submitting it to USCIS, either through the correct filing location or online at my.uscis.gov.

Additionally, petitioners are required to provide a valid passport or travel document used at the time of registration to help identify the beneficiary. While registration and selection confirm eligibility to file a petition, petitioners must still submit sufficient evidence to demonstrate the beneficiary’s eligibility for H-1B approval.

For those whose beneficiaries were not selected, or if you have any specific questions regarding the H-1B process or your case, we encourage employers to reach out to our office. Our experienced attorneys at Pasricha & Patel can assist in reviewing your situation and exploring potential alternatives. To schedule a consultation, please visit: Book a Consultation | Law Firm New York, Edison | Immigration Attorneys