The United States has reached its annual H-1B visa cap, closing this cycle's window for new petitions under the programme after a lottery overhaul introduced under President Donald Trump.

The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. Each year, the programme operates under a statutory cap, and demand has exceeded supply for most of the past two decades. Once US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirms the cap is met, employers must wait for the next registration cycle before filing new cap-subject petitions.

What changed under the lottery overhaul

The H-1B selection process has moved away from the system that allowed multiple registrations on behalf of a single applicant. Under the reformed rules, selection now works per beneficiary rather than per registration. Each prospective worker is counted once, which removes the advantage previously gained when employers filed multiple entries for the same individual.

The overhaul responded to concerns that duplicate registrations inflated the pool and distorted selection odds. By counting each beneficiary a single time, the system aims to make the lottery fairer and to reduce incentives for mass filing.

Who is affected

The cap announcement affects US businesses that planned to sponsor foreign workers in specialty occupations this fiscal year but did not secure selections in the lottery. Employers whose registrations were selected can still proceed with their petitions. Workers already in the US on H-1B status, cap-exempt employers such as universities and non-profit research organisations, and petitions for individuals previously counted against the cap are not affected by the closure of this year's selection window.

For businesses that missed the cut, the next opportunity comes with the upcoming registration period for the following fiscal year. USCIS typically opens H-1B registration in early spring, with selections announced shortly afterwards.

Practical implications for employers

Employers should track official USCIS announcements for confirmation of cap closure, the timing of the next registration window, and any further procedural adjustments to the selection system. The agency publishes cap updates, registration dates, and selection results on its official website.

This article summarises publicly reported developments and does not constitute legal advice on individual cases. Employers and workers seeking case-specific guidance should consult a licensed US immigration attorney.