On July 18, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-1B visa caps for fiscal year 2026.
The agency has reached both:
- The 65,000 regular cap
- The 20,000 cap for individuals with a US master’s degree or higher (commonly referred to as the “master’s cap”)
What Happens Next?
While the FY 2026 cap has been met, USCIS will continue to accept and process cap-exempt H-1B petitions, including those filed to:
- Extend the stay of current H-1B workers in the US.
- Amend the terms and conditions of existing H-1B employment.
- Change employers for current H-1B holders.
- Add concurrent employment for H-1B workers taking on additional roles.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.
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