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USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap

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USCIS
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Summary

Informational only, not legal advice. Confirm deadlines on the official notice or with a qualified professional.

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 FY2026 will be accepted once the cap is reached. Employers and workers seeking H-1B sponsorship for FY2026 should have already submitted petitions during the registration period.
Full official notice
USCIS

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2026.

Visa bulletin
May 2026

Final action, filing & DV tables

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