H-1B Cap for Fiscal Year 2025 Has Been Reached

By: Gilyana Dzhambulaeva and Mishita Jethi

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that they have obtained enough H-1B petitions to meet the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 quota of 85,000 petitions which include 65,000 H-1B visas under regular cap and 20,000 H-1B visas under the advanced degree (master’s) cap. Consequently, there will be no third cap lottery selection for the fiscal year.

Previously USCIS conducted two cap lottery selections for FY 2025. The first, in March, selected 114,017 beneficiaries. The second, in August, selected another 13,607 beneficiaries.

Additionally, USCIS introduced a new beneficiary-centric registration system this year that resulted in a decrease in registrations submitted. However, the overall selection rate increased to approximately 29%. Applicants can check their current registration status through the online portal. Individuals who were not selected this year cannot file an H-1B petition in FY 2025. However, they are eligible to register again in FY 2026.

This does not impact petitions that are not subject to the H-1B cap. Therefore, USCIS will continue to process applications such as extensions of stay, changes of employer, amended petitions, and other similar petitions.

For specific questions or help filing an H-1B petition, contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration team.