H-1B Visa Selections Drop Sharply for FY 2026: What Travel Pros Must Know

 H-1B Visa Program Sees Fewer Registrations in FY 2026

In a surprising shift, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selected 120,141 H-1B visa applications for fiscal year 2026, despite receiving over 358,000 registrations.

This figure marks a 27% drop from FY 2025 and reflects a tightening landscape for skilled foreign professionals seeking U.S. employment through work-based immigration programs.

Steep Decline in Registrations and Unique Applicants

The H-1B visa program saw fewer total registrations and a significant drop in unique applicants over the past three years:

• FY 2024: Over 758,000 applicants

• FY 2025: 423,000 applicants

• FY 2026: 336,000 applicants

This sharp decline suggests the visa pathway is becoming more competitive and selective, potentially deterring mass applications or bulk registrations.

Fewer Multi-Entry Attempts, Higher Fairness

USCIS reports that 336,153 eligible applications came from single-entry applicants, while just 7,828 individuals submitted multiple registrations.

This is a positive shift from previous years, where multiple submissions often skewed the odds. The average entries per person dropped to 1.01 in FY 2026, reflecting recent rule changes that aim to curb system abuse and improve fairness.

Lottery Selection Rate: Only 35% of Eligible Applicants Picked

Despite fewer total entries, the lottery selection rate remained tight at 35%. Out of 343,981 eligible registrations, only 120,141 were selected. Breakdown includes:

• 65,000 standard H-1B visas

• 20,000 reserved for U.S. advanced degree holders

Notably, the number of employers participating remained stable, rising slightly to 57,600 from 52,700 in FY 2025.

Big Tech Still Backing the H-1B Route

Despite recent layoffs, tech leaders like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Tesla continue to be among the top H-1B visa sponsors. Their sustained interest highlights the ongoing global demand for skilled talent in technology, engineering, and AI-related fields.

For B2B travel and visa consultants, this indicates that corporate mobility services and skilled immigration support will remain essential in sectors that rely on international hiring pipelines.

Political Sentiment & Policy Outlook

The current U.S. administration is taking a more cautious stance toward employment-based visas, compared to earlier years. Advocacy groups like U.S. Tech Workers have voiced concerns that the visa program continues to expand despite industry layoffs.

While no drastic reforms have been introduced yet, increased regulatory oversight may shape H-1B processing and approval trends in FY 2027 and beyond.

What This Means for H-1B Applicants and Employers

As the system grows more refined, here’s what professionals should take note of:

• Better chances for single-entry applicants

• Lower manipulation of the lottery process

• Higher importance of early prep and strong documentation

• More scrutiny on employer-employee authenticity and job role match

For travel professionals managing corporate relocations or educational pathways, aligning strategies with evolving visa policies is key.

Final Takeaway: A Shift Toward Selectivity and Strategy

The H-1B visa system is entering a more disciplined, applicant-focused phase. With declining registrations, limited selections, and growing oversight, strategic preparation is critical.

For B2B travel agents and visa consultants, this trend underscores the need to:

• Stay updated on changing visa landscapes

• Offer compliant, timely documentation support

• Prepare clients well in advance for lottery-based processes
  
  

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