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H-1B Visa Applications Drop 25% to Three-Year Low Amid Rising Costs and Stricter Policies

USCIS data reveals the lowest H-1B registration figures since FY2022, with Indian professionals disproportionately affected by fee hikes, economic shifts, and intensified fraud scrutiny.

The decline in H-1B applications is attributed to economic slowdown and increased registration fees, leading companies to adopt a conservative approach.
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H1B VISA

Overview

  • H-1B visa registrations for FY2026 fell by 25% to 358,737, marking the lowest level in three years, according to USCIS data.
  • Only 120,141 applications were selected for the lottery, a 27% drop from FY2025, to fill the annual cap of 85,000 visas.
  • The application fee increased sharply from $10 to $215, contributing to reduced demand as employers adopt more conservative filing strategies.
  • Economic challenges, including tech-sector layoffs at firms like Microsoft and Amazon, have further dampened employer demand for skilled foreign workers.
  • Indian nationals, who historically receive over 70% of H-1B visas, face significant impacts from these barriers, alongside intensified fraud investigations and stricter documentation requirements.