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Statistics
Annual Caps for H-1B for Fiscal Years: 85,000 visas
- 65,000 visas
- 20,000 visas for the master’s cap*
The master’s cap – individuals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
Topics
Annual Cap on H-1B Visas
In 2025, the registration window opens March 6 and closes March 25. Annual Caps for H-1B for Fiscal Years: 85,000 visas.
The H-1B Program
Welcome to the wild world of H-1B visas. This program is a cornerstone of the U.S. immigration system and economy, allowing companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialized occupations. Many people have done it successfully, and we intend to elucidate it very simply.
H-1B Cap Season
First up — let's talk numbers.
Every year, we’re looking at 85,000 visas up for grabs:
- 65,000 slots are for regular applicants, and they set aside an extra 20,000 for folks who scored their master’s degree from a US school (definitely a smart move for anyone planning ahead!).
- The whole thing runs on a fiscal year schedule, from October 1st to September 30th.
- Everyone needs to keep their eyes peeled for March — that’s typically when the registration window opens for about two weeks. Exact dates are announced by USCIS each year.
- Way to Apply: Online.
Now, who’s actually eligible for these visas?
We’re talking about some pretty specific fields:
— Problem solvers in technology and engineering (i.e., those who make applications work).
— Geniuses in science and mathematics (who do very advanced R&D and perform complex calculations).
— Knowledgeable and hardworking healthcare practitioners.
— Business planners who can solve complicated business problems.
— People in software contributing to the latest technologies.
Before anyone jumps in, though, there’s some serious prep work.
For businesses to comply, they must get their house in order
- They have to check that the position is one which indeed calls for specialization;
- Check the accurate figures for the payment tied to the position;
- And see to it that it complies with the policy of the Department of Labor. Not any jobs in the market; these ones are specified at a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in some field.
Here comes the innovative part — these guys have overhauled the entire application process. Starting in February 2024, things got a lot simpler due to the new system called USCIS Organizational Accounts.
This feels like having a computerized headquarters where businesses and their attorneys can collaborate without the typical hassle of documentation.
H-1B Lottery
Now, let us dive into this lottery. Probably the most terrifying part of this entire process. Think of it like this: It is a huge, single, online raffle where winning means getting a chance to apply for a work visa instead of getting a car. Envision and let that sink in for a minute.
Here’s the fascinating part about how USCIS runs this show.
Here's the fascinating part about how USCIS runs this show.
1. First up, we’ve got what we call the “regular cap” lottery.
This is where all 85,000 registrations get tossed into the digital hat, including those with US master’s degrees. It’s like everyone gets a fair first shot at those initial 65,000 spots.If you’re thinking, “Wait, what about my fancy U.S. master’s degree?” — hold that thought!
Here’s where it gets interesting. If you’ve got a US master’s degree and didn’t get picked in the first round, you’re not out of the game yet. All the advanced degree holders who didn’t make the cut in round one get a second chance at those special 20,000 reserved spots. It’s like having an extra lottery ticket — a pretty sweet deal, right? This two-step dance actually gives US advanced degree holders better odds overall.
2. The numbers game here is pretty wild.
In recent years, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of registrations for those 85,000 spots.
Last year’s registration period was like trying to get tickets to a Taylor Swift concert — the system was flooded with hopeful applicants!
Some quick math: if there are 300,000 registrations (which isn’t unusual these days), you’re looking at roughly a 20-30% chance of getting selected, depending on whether you’ve got that US master’s degree in your back pocket.
3. Want some insider baseball?
- The US Citizenship and Immigration Services collects more e-applications than the available visa slots. Why? This is because they understand that not all candidates will go ahead and submit the petition, or some might not even meet the criteria upon further inspection. This is similar to how airlines overbook flights: they’re betting on probabilities.
Now, let’s go step by step on how this works
- Companies need to first register with the USCIS.
- Then, the best part is submitting — submit the applicant’s personal details on the US Government online database and make a payment of $10 per person. (This is probably the most affordable expense in the whole process).
- After being chosen, it’s time for the strenuous paperwork.
- For successful nominees, there would be quite a lot of documentation waiting (Form I-129 and other associated forms).
- After that, we all wait for USCIS to respond to the requests.
Premium Processing Service:
Always check the USCIS website for the most current fee.
Here’s what everyone needs to remember to stay out of trouble
– One registration allowed per person per year and no double dipping.
– Keep those files orderly like your life depends on it.
– Don’t miss any deadlines (seriously, they’re not kidding about these).
– Make sure you’re paying people what you promised.
– Save copies of everything (you’ll thank us later).
Getting selected is just the beginning
There’s still visa paperwork if someone’s outside the US, planning for that October 1st start date, and making sure everything stays legit. It’s kind of like getting married — saying “yes” is the easy part, making it work takes ongoing effort.
The key to making this whole thing work? Stay on top of changes (immigration rules love to play musical chairs), keep your paperwork squeaky clean, and make sure you’re doing everything by the book. Companies that take this seriously and keep everyone in the loop tend to have a much smoother ride through this whole process.
With the right approach and focus, the H-1B process is painstakingly achievable. It may look like a puzzle, but remember that regardless of how clouded it may get, there is always a way out. Take it slow, step by step, and should you run into a problem, do not hesitate to reach out. Even professionals, at times, require assistance to help them get through complicated situations.