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

1 indexed update

May 5, 2026 → Aug 2, 2026 · 90 days

Policy climate · last 90 days

Tone of coverage

100% neutral

Based on 1 indexed update 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
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Cap
USCIS has received enough H-1B petitions to reach both the regular cap of 65,000 visas and the advanced degree exemption cap of 20,000 visas for fiscal year 2027. This means the H-1B cap registration period has closed and a lottery will be held to select beneficiaries from the…

SentimentAll Positive Negative Neutral

Updates

Latest updates

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

DATESUBTOPICTITLETONE

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

H-1B

Notice of FY 2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Selection Process Completion and Cap Season Reminders

USCIS has completed the FY 2025 H-1B cap initial registration process and received enough registrations to meet both the general H-1B cap and the advanced degree master's cap allocation. Employers and workers should now monitor USCIS…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BNotice of FY 2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Selection Process Completion and Cap Season Reminders

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neu

H-1B

H-1B Form I-129 Filing Location Change and FY 2025 H-1B Cap Season Updates and Reminders

USCIS closed the FY 2025 H-1B cap initial registration period on March 25, 2024, at noon Eastern Time. The agency also announced filing location changes for H-1B Form I-129 as part of season updates and reminders. Employers and workers…

High impactLottery / selectionProcessing

USCIS

H-1BH-1B Form I-129 Filing Location Change and FY 2025 H-1B Cap Season Updates and Reminders

High impactLottery / selectionProcessing

USCIS

Neu

Pos

H-1B

USCIS Extends Initial Registration Period for FY 2025 H-1B Cap

USCIS has extended the initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap, giving employers and workers more time to submit cap registrations before the deadline. The extension provides additional opportunity to participate in the H-1B…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BUSCIS Extends Initial Registration Period for FY 2025 H-1B Cap

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Pos

Neu

H-1B

FY 2025 H-1B Registration Period and myUSCIS Organizational Account Reminders

USCIS launched new myUSCIS organizational accounts on February 28, 2024, allowing multiple team members and legal representatives to collaborate on H-1B registrations, petitions, and premium processing requests. Employers and immigration…

Processing

USCIS

H-1BFY 2025 H-1B Registration Period and myUSCIS Organizational Account Reminders

Processing

USCIS

Neu

Pos

H-1B

USCIS to Launch Organizational Accounts, Enabling Online Collaboration and Submission of H-1B Registrations

USCIS is launching new organizational accounts and online collaboration tools to improve the H-1B cap registration process. The changes are designed to increase efficiency and make it easier for employers and their immigration attorneys to…

Processing

USCIS

H-1BUSCIS to Launch Organizational Accounts, Enabling Online Collaboration and Submission of H-1B Registrations

Processing

USCIS

Pos

Neu

H-1B

USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2024 H-1B Cap

USCIS has reached the fiscal year 2024 H-1B visa cap, receiving enough petitions to fill the congressionally mandated 65,000 regular cap positions and the 20,000 master's degree exemption cap. No additional H-1B petitions will be accepted…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

H-1BUSCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2024 H-1B Cap

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS

Neu

H-1B

Second Random Selection from Previously Submitted Registrations Complete for FY 2024 H-1B Cap

USCIS has completed a second random selection of H-1B registrations for fiscal year 2024 to fill remaining cap-subject positions. This selection drew from previously submitted registrations that were not selected in the initial March 2023…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS Alerts

H-1BSecond Random Selection from Previously Submitted Registrations Complete for FY 2024 H-1B Cap

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS Alerts

Neu

H-1B

USCIS Will Conduct Second Random Selection from Previously Submitted FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registrations

USCIS will conduct a second random selection from FY 2024 H-1B cap registrations to reach the numerical allocations, after an initial selection in March 2023. Only registrants selected in either drawing are eligible to file H-1B…

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS Alerts

H-1BUSCIS Will Conduct Second Random Selection from Previously Submitted FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registrations

High impactLottery / selection

USCIS Alerts

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.