H-1B: summary, tools, and updates

Summary

Work visa for specialty occupations

Employer-sponsored role tied to an approved petition, often subject to the annual cap, with a DOL labor condition application and sometimes a consular visa stamp. Overview, official tools, activity data, and the latest policy updates below.

What this topic is

The H-1B ties you to the employer and job described in the approved petition. If you change employers, the new employer normally needs their own approval.

Each year, most new H-1Bs are subject to a cap and a registration and selection process. Some employers, such as many colleges and universities, are not subject to that cap. Your case may involve USCIS, a labor certification (LCA) filed with the Department of Labor, and a consulate if you need a visa stamp in your passport.

Fees, wait times, and rules change. Always double check USCIS and DOL for current numbers and instructions before you rely on them.

Activity · daily, last 90 days

2 indexed updates

Mar 19, 2026 → Jun 16, 2026 · 90 days

Policy climate · last 90 days

Tone of coverage

50% neutral50% favorable

Based on 2 indexed updates in the last 90 days

Last 90 days

What matters for H-1B

Highest-signal items mentioning H-1B (or cross-listed policy), from roughly the last three months, weighted for impact, open comment periods, fees, lottery, and processing changes.

Published USCIS
Lottery / selection
FY 2027 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed
USCIS has completed the FY 2027 H-1B initial registration period and received enough registrations to meet both the regular H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption cap. This marks the end of the registration window for fiscal year 2027. Employers and workers who registered…
Published State Dept
Travel / entry
Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants
The U.S. State Department has announced expanded security screening and vetting procedures for H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependent family members. The enhanced measures are intended to strengthen the review process for these work visa categories. No specific details on…
Published USCIS
Update
USCIS Efforts Lead to Two Guilty Pleas in H-1B Fraud Conspiracy Case
Two individuals pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit H-1B visa fraud following an investigation by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The case demonstrates USCIS's enforcement of immigration law against fraudulent visa applications and schemes. This reflects ongoing…

SentimentAll Positive Negative Neutral

Updates

Latest updates

All items tagged for H-1B, newest first. Open a row for the summary and source.

DATESUBTOPICTITLETONE

Pos

H-1B

USCIS Efforts Lead to Two Guilty Pleas in H-1B Fraud Conspiracy Case

Two individuals pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit H-1B visa fraud following an investigation by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The case demonstrates USCIS's enforcement of immigration law against fraudulent visa…

Update

USCIS

H-1BUSCIS Efforts Lead to Two Guilty Pleas in H-1B Fraud Conspiracy Case

Update

USCIS

Pos

Neu

H-1B

Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants

The U.S. State Department has announced expanded security screening and vetting procedures for H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependent family members. The enhanced measures are intended to strengthen the review process for these work…

Travel / entry

State Dept

H-1BAnnouncement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants

Travel / entry

State Dept

Neu

H-1B

FY 2027 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed

USCIS has completed the FY 2027 H-1B initial registration period and received enough registrations to meet both the regular H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption cap. This marks the end of the registration window for fiscal year 2027.…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BFY 2027 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neu

H-1B

FY 2027 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 4

The H-1B cap registration period for fiscal year 2027 will open on March 4, 2026 at noon ET and close on March 19, 2026 at noon ET. All H-1B petitions subject to the annual cap must be registered during this window before employers can…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BFY 2027 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 4

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neu

Neg

H-1B

DHS Changes Process for Awarding H-1B Work Visas to Better Protect American Workers

DHS is changing how H-1B visas are awarded to prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid workers. The new regulations aim to protect American workers' wages, working conditions, and job opportunities. This shift could affect which foreign…

High impactProposed rule

USCIS

H-1BDHS Changes Process for Awarding H-1B Work Visas to Better Protect American Workers

High impactProposed rule

USCIS

Neg

H-1B

Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers

The President issued a proclamation on September 19, 2025, restricting entry of certain nonimmigrant workers, signaling an intent to overhaul the H-1B visa program. The proclamation is framed as an initial reform step affecting worker…

High impactExecutive action

USCIS

H-1BPresidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers

High impactExecutive action

USCIS

Neg

H-1B

H-1B FAQ

President Trump signed a proclamation on September 19, 2025 restricting entry of certain H-1B nonimmigrant workers to protect American workers and curb visa abuses. This marks an initial reform step targeting the H-1B program. The FAQ…

High impactExecutive action

USCIS

H-1BH-1B FAQ

High impactExecutive action

USCIS

Neg

Neu

H-1B

USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap

USCIS has reached the congressionally mandated cap for H-1B visas in fiscal year 2026, receiving enough petitions to fill both the regular 65,000-visa cap and the 20,000-visa advanced degree (master's) exemption. No new H-1B petitions for…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BUSCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neu

H-1B

FY 2026 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed

USCIS has completed the FY 2026 H-1B initial registration selection process after receiving sufficient electronic registrations to meet the cap, including the advanced degree (master's) exemption. The lottery selection has been conducted…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BFY 2026 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neu

H-1B

FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7

USCIS has announced that H-1B cap initial registration for fiscal year 2026 will open on March 7, 2025 at noon Eastern and close on March 24, 2025 at noon Eastern. Employers and beneficiaries seeking H-1B work visas must register during…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BFY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neu

Work visas

USCIS to Publish Revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

USCIS is publishing a revised Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) on January 17, 2025, to reflect changes from the recently finalized H-1B and H-2 modernization rules. Employers filing nonimmigrant worker petitions should use…

Final ruleProcessing

USCIS

Work visasUSCIS to Publish Revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

Final ruleProcessing

USCIS

Neu

Pos

H-1B

DHS Strengthens H-1B Program, Allowing U.S. Employers to More Quickly Fill Critical Jobs

DHS has issued a final rule strengthening the H-1B program with greater flexibilities for employers and specialty occupation workers. The new rule is designed to help U.S. employers fill critical jobs more quickly. Details on specific…

High impactFinal rule

USCIS

H-1BDHS Strengthens H-1B Program, Allowing U.S. Employers to More Quickly Fill Critical Jobs

High impactFinal rule

USCIS

Pos

Neg

H-1B

USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B Cap

USCIS has reached the congressionally mandated cap for H-1B visas in fiscal year 2025, receiving enough petitions to fill both the regular 65,000-visa cap and the 20,000-visa advanced degree (master's) exemption. No further H-1B petitions…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BUSCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B Cap

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neg

Neu

H-1B

Second Random Selection from Previously Submitted Registrations Complete for FY 2025 H-1B Regular Cap

USCIS completed a second random selection from previously submitted H-1B registrations to reach the fiscal year 2025 regular cap numerical limit. Additional registrations for unique beneficiaries were selected to fill remaining cap…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BSecond Random Selection from Previously Submitted Registrations Complete for FY 2025 H-1B Regular Cap

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neu

H-1B

USCIS Will Conduct Second Random Selection for Regular Cap from Previously Submitted FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registrations

USCIS is conducting a second random selection from H-1B cap registrations already submitted for fiscal year 2025, following an initial selection held in March. This second draw will select additional beneficiaries from the regular cap pool…

High impactLottery / selectionProcessing

USCIS

H-1BUSCIS Will Conduct Second Random Selection for Regular Cap from Previously Submitted FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registrations

High impactLottery / selectionProcessing

USCIS

Neu

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Tools

Official resources

Filing, fees, appointments, and case status. Government sites only; confirm details before you file.

USCIS fees
Official fee schedule for petitions and other filings. Always confirm the amount before you pay.
USCIS processing times
See how long I-129 and related forms are taking at each USCIS office.
Visa appointment wait times
State Department estimates for interview wait times at each consulate (pick your visa class in the tool).
Check your USCIS case status
Look up a pending petition, extension, or amendment using your receipt number.
CEAC (visa appointments)
Pay visa fees, fill DS-160, or check appointment status if you need a stamp abroad.

Guides and reference

Eligibility, cap rules, and paper forms from USCIS and DOL.

USCIS: H-1B specialty occupations
Who qualifies, how the cap works, and how to file.
USCIS: Form I-129
Petition form, fees, and instructions.
DOL: Foreign labor certification (LCA)
How the Labor Condition Application fits into H-1B.