The demand for the H1-B visa, a popular work visa for skilled foreign professionals in the United States, has remained strong. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a total of 3,43,981 eligible cap registrations were received for the fiscal year 2026. This comes despite a noticeable reduction in overall registrations compared to the previous year.
The annual cap for H1-B visas stands at 85,000, including 20,000 visas reserved for applicants under the Masters’ Cap. This cap continues to be exceeded every year, signalling continued interest in employment opportunities in the United States.
In fiscal 2025, USCIS received 4,70,342 eligible registrations. Compared to that figure, the FY26 registrations saw a significant fall of 26.9%. The agency selected only 1,35,137 registrations in FY25, a number that is expected to be similarly selective for the current year.
Another notable figure is the decline in multiple registrations for the same individual. In FY25, there were 47,314 such instances, whereas FY26 saw just 7,828. This drop has been attributed not to changing US immigration policies but to reforms in the registration system.
Read More: Indian IT Professionals Grapple with H-1B Uncertainty under Trump’s Presidency.
The reduction in multiple registrations per applicant is largely due to the introduction of a beneficiary-centric selection system. Under this revised approach, implemented through the final rule titled Improving the H-1B Registration Selection Process and Program Integrity, each individual is considered only once in the selection process, regardless of how many times their name has been submitted by various employers.
As per USCIS, the average number of registrations per beneficiary dropped from 1.06 in FY25 to 1.01 in FY26. This suggests a more level playing field and fewer attempts to manipulate the system through multiple submissions.
USCIS has been actively investigating and combating instances of fraud based on data from earlier H1-B seasons, particularly FY23 and FY24. These investigations have resulted in the denial and revocation of certain petitions. Some cases have even been referred to law enforcement for criminal prosecution.
The impact of these actions is now visible in the numbers. USCIS believes that the decline in registration volumes and filing rates reflects the effectiveness of its fraud prevention and system integrity measures.
The agency has confirmed that it will continue reviewing data from FY25 and FY26 to detect any irregularities or attempts to circumvent the rules. This ongoing scrutiny is part of USCIS’s broader mission to ensure fairness and maintain the credibility of the H1-B visa programme.
According to the agency, the decreasing number of registrations is not a sign of reduced interest but rather a sign that the application process has become more transparent and equitable.
While the number of H1-B visa applications has dipped in FY26, it remains well above the annual cap, underscoring strong demand. The change is not due to external immigration policies but a result of internal regulatory reforms by USCIS aimed at enhancing fairness and preventing misuse. The shift to a beneficiary-centric model appears to be a significant step towards a more transparent and robust visa selection process.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
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Published on: May 16, 2025, 2:26 PM IST
Team Angel One
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