USCIS Reports Major Drop in H-1B Lottery Filings

USCIS has published its latest data on the H-1B cap registration process—and the numbers are striking. Just 344,000 H-1B registrations were submitted for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. That’s a drop of nearly 126,000 from last year.

Even more dramatic: the number of individuals with multiple employer registrations plunged to around 7,800, down from 47,000 the year before.

Despite the lower volume, USCIS selected over 118,000 beneficiaries in the initial FY 2026 lottery.

What’s Driving the Drop in H-1B Demand?

Several recent USCIS policy changes appear to be having their intended effect:

• A move to an individual-based selection system: Every applicant now has an equal shot—no matter how many employers submit registrations on their behalf.
• A major hike in the registration fee, jumping from $10 to $215 this year. That alone may have curbed multiple filings.

Remember, the annual cap remains fixed at 85,000 new H-1B visas. To account for expected withdrawals and denials, USCIS selects more registrations than the number of visas available. A second round of selections could still happen—depending on how many petitions ultimately get approved.

What Employers Should Be Watching

Even with fewer filings, the odds of selection were still just 25%. That’s a stark reminder of the continued mismatch between demand for high-skilled talent and the visa supply.

If Congress moves to expand H-1B availability, it likely won’t come free—higher petition fees and wage requirements for employers are almost certain to follow.

In the meantime, employers should stay proactive. Now’s the time to consider alternative immigration strategies to support your talent pipeline.

Will There Be a Second H-1B Lottery in 2025?

It’s too early to tell. Several factors could influence another round of selections:

• Economic uncertainty leading to withdrawn petitions
• More denials under tougher review standards
• A potential drop in interest from foreign talent

These dynamics will shape whether USCIS moves forward with additional selections.

Have questions about supporting your H-1B workforce?
Connect with your Meltzer Hellrung attorney for personalized guidance and strategy.