On May 14, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officially released the registration and selection data for the FY2026 H-1B cap season, based on the lottery conducted in March 2025. This is the first round of data for the new fiscal year, and it reveals some striking shifts in both registration volume and selection rates.
A historical comparison of USCIS data reveals a dramatic decrease in total and valid H-1B registrations this year—contrasted with a notable increase in the selection rate.
Starting in FY2025, USCIS introduced a “one-person-one-entry” rule for the H-1B lottery system to enhance fairness. This move, along with enhanced scrutiny to weed out fraudulent third-party registrations, has led to a much cleaner and more accurate dataset.
By removing illegitimate or mass-proxy applications, the registration pool now better reflects actual labor demand for foreign talent in the U.S. The reduction in multiple-employer filings—down over 80%—is one of the clearest indicators of this policy’s effectiveness.
Many applicants are now wondering whether a second-round H-1B lottery might take place later this year. Based on current trends and the more accurate targeting of legitimate candidates, a second lottery seems less likely in 2025.
If a second round does occur, we can expect USCIS to make an announcement around late July or early August, based on historical timelines.
If your OPT are expiring soon, you will consider Day 1 CPT or other alternatives to extend your legal stays in the US. You may refer to this article to learn more>
For those who were not selected in the FY2026 H-1B lottery, it’s important to remember that the H-1B is not the only pathway to work in the United States. Here are several viable alternatives that individuals and employers can consider:
The O-1 is ideal for individuals who can demonstrate exceptional talent or achievements in their field—such as science, education, business, arts, or athletics. This visa has no annual cap and offers greater flexibility in some respects than the H-1B.
If you work for a multinational company with offices in both your home country and the U.S., the L-1 visa allows for intracompany transfers.
This is a strong option for individuals employed abroad who want to work in the U.S. branch of their company.
Some U.S. employers are exempt from the H-1B cap entirely. These include:
If you’re able to find a job at a cap-exempt employer, you can apply for an H-1B at any time of the year.
Day 1 CPT allows international students on F-1 visas to start off-campus employment immediately upon starting a new academic program that includes practical training as an integral part of the curriculum.
This year’s H-1B data paints a clearer picture of the real demand for foreign professionals in the U.S. labor market. While the number of applicants has dropped sharply, the system is arguably fairer and more efficient than ever before. Keep an eye out for possible second-round news in the coming months—we’ll report it here as soon as it breaks.