Archive · 18 Jul 2026
H-1B Visa Cap Reached Under New Rules
The H-1B visa is a popular work visa in the US, especially for tech companies hiring skilled foreign workers.
This year, the US government received enough applications to fill all 85,000 available visas.
The selection process is different now because it is based on wages instead of a random lottery.
Higher salaries give better chances of being selected.
There is also a new $100,000 fee for hiring workers from outside the US.
This affects small businesses more than large companies.
The new rules aim to ensure fair wages for American workers but make it harder for some businesses to hire foreign workers.
USCIS has received enough H-1B visa applications to fill the 85,000 cap for FY2027.
The new wage-based selection system prioritizes higher salaries over a random lottery.
A $100,000 fee has been introduced for new H-1B petitions filed for workers outside the US.
Small businesses and entry-level positions are likely to be most affected by the new rules.
Selected applicants can begin working in the US from October 1, 2026.
- Who
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- What
- H-1B visa cap reached under new rules
- When
- Filing window for FY2027 was April 1 to June 30, 2026
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To prioritize highly skilled and better-paid professionals and encourage local hiring
Supporters of New Rules
Critics of New Rules
Wage-Based Selection System
Supporters of New Rules
The new wage-based system prioritizes highly skilled and better-paid professionals, ensuring fair wages for American workers.
Critics of New Rules
The new system disadvantages small businesses and entry-level positions, making it harder for them to compete.
$100,000 Fee for Overseas Hiring
Supporters of New Rules
The fee encourages companies to hire locally and invest in American talent.
Critics of New Rules
The fee makes overseas hiring significantly more expensive, particularly for small businesses.
- Total H-1B Visas Available
- 85,000
- Regular Cap
- 65,000
- Master’s Cap
- 20,000
- New Wage-Based System
- Introduced in December 2025
- $100,000 Fee
- Introduced in September 2025
- Filing Window for FY2027
- April 1 to June 30, 2026
- Start Date for Selected Applicants
- October 1, 2026
