New Rules, Old Rush: Indians Lead H-1B Visa Surge Once Again

The H-1B visa program remains in high demand among skilled foreign professionals, particularly from India, despite a noticeable drop in total registrations this year. According to data released by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), for the FY 2026 visa cycle (covering October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026), a total of 343,981 eligible registrations were received. This is over four times the annual cap of 85,000 visas, which includes 65,000 for the general category and an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.

Interestingly, this year’s registrations reflect a 27% decline compared to FY 2025, which saw 470,342 eligible entries. More significantly, multiple registrations for the same individual dropped by 83%, from 47,314 last year to just 7,828. USCIS attributes this decline to the implementation of a new beneficiary-centric selection system, designed to prevent fraud and ensure fairness. Under this system, each beneficiary is entered into the lottery only once, regardless of the number of employers that submitted applications on their behalf.

Despite the lower number of entries, USCIS notes that interest in the H-1B program remains strong, especially among Indian IT and engineering professionals, who continue to dominate the applicant pool with around 60% of total registrations. Experts suggest that if the quota is not met in the first round, a second lottery may be held later this year. The new system has increased transparency and minimized manipulation, signaling a shift toward a more equitable selection process without reducing genuine demand for skilled talent.