H1B
H-1B visa lottery results, cap season updates, wage level analysis, employer sponsorship data, and transfer rules. Covers registration, selection, RFE trends, and premium processing timelines for FY2026.
Top questions about H1B
Answers from VisaVerge guidesWhat changes will H-1B visa applicants in India face starting September 2, 2025?
Starting September 2, 2025, all H-1B visa applicants in India must attend in-person interviews at a U.S. consulate, ending the dropbox option.
Read: When Did India Get H-1B Dropbox Option and Why Was It Dropped?How does the H-1B process work for employers and employees in 2025?
The H-1B process remains employer-driven, with the employer filing the petition and the employee maintaining status by staying employed in the approved job under the approved terms.
Read: US Immigration FAQ Update: H-1B, F-1, NRIs Amid 2025 ChangesHow did employer actions affect H-1B visa holders in 2025?
Employers increased the risk of H-1B workers going out of status by rapidly withdrawing petitions after layoffs, complicating their future re-entry into the U.S.
Read: H-1B in 2025: What Layoffs Taught Visa Holders and EmployersWhat changes has USCIS introduced to curb H-1B visa exploitation starting in 2025?
USCIS has introduced beneficiary-focused selection and mandatory passport information for lottery registrations to tackle registration abuse.
Read: H-1B Exploitation: Middlemen Gaming the SystemWhat are some key changes to the H-1B visa program for fiscal year 2025?
The USCIS adopted a 'beneficiary-centric' registration process, resulting in fewer registrations but relatively steady numbers of employers and unique foreign candidates applying for visas.
Read: Donald Trump Backs H-1B Visas: ‘We Need Competent People’H-1B Fee Hike Spurs Remote Overseas Hiring by U.S. Firms
Effective September 21, 2025, a $100,000 surcharge applies to new H-1B petitions, with no payment process yet available. The fee is prompting firms—especially smaller ones—to reduce filings, favor remote hiring,…
Indian IT Stocks Fall for Fifth Day as U.S. Visa Curbs Bite
A surprise proposal for a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions led to a five-day slump in Indian…
H-1B Lottery Loss Sparks Huang’s Move to Taiwan for Entrepreneurship
After two unsuccessful H-1B lottery attempts, including April 2025, Taiwanese engineer Wen-Hsing Huang left the U.S., returning to…
India warns U.S. H-1B fee hike could hit services exports, remittance
A $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B petitions (effective Sept 21, 2025) risks reducing India’s services exports and…
India Could Benefit as U.S. H-1B Fee Pushes Talent Home
The U.S. will impose a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, exempting…
Republicans Push to End F-1 Work Authorizations, Threatening OPT
Sen. Chuck Grassley urged DHS to end F-1 work authorizations, threatening OPT and related programs. OPT remains available…
Veni, Vidi, Contuli: H-1B Fees Misprice Immigrant Promise
A New Indian Express opinion contends a $100,000 upfront H‑1B fee would deter early-career immigrant talent, favor big…
How International Students Subsidize U.S. Education—and the H-1B Crackdown
A proposed $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B petitions could deter international students, cut university revenues (potentially $3…
How the $100,000 H-1B Fee Aims to Boost Hiring of Laid-Off Workers
The $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions (effective Sept. 21, 2025) encourages employers to hire laid-off H-1B workers…
Box CEO Slams $100,000 H-1B Fee Crushing Startups’ Hiring
A $100,000 H-1B fee per petition (Sept 2025) risks sidelining startups and concentrating talent at major firms. Aaron…