USCIS Hits FY 2025 H-1B Visa Cap

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the statutory limit for H-1B visa applications for fiscal year 2025, with the cap comprising 65,000 regular visas and an additional 20,000 for those with advanced U.S. degrees. Despite reaching the cap, USCIS continues to process cap-exempt petitions, such as extensions for current H-1B holders and changes in employment terms. The H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign professionals in industries like technology and finance, but recent data indicates a decline in sponsorships by top firms such as Amazon and Google. Experts argue that the current cap does not meet U.S. labor market needs, with calls for Congress to increase visa limits and modernize the system. This year's registration saw a significant decrease from 780,884 in 2024 to 479,953, with only about 135,000 visas being issued, highlighting the gap between demand and supply. Unselected registrants for FY 2025 will be notified through their online accounts as the USCIS processes these petitions in the upcoming days.