USCIS Reaches H-1B Visa Cap for FY 2025, Highlights Changing Trends

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it has reached the statutory cap for H-1B visa applications for fiscal year 2025. The limit includes 65,000 standard visas and an additional 20,000 visas reserved for applicants with advanced US degrees.

Despite reaching the cap, USCIS will continue processing cap-exempt petitions, such as extensions for current H-1B holders, modifications to employment terms, employer changes, and additional employment requests. Applicants not selected will see the status "Not Selected" on their online registrations, indicating ineligibility to file an H-1B cap petition for the fiscal year.

The H-1B visa program allows American companies to hire skilled foreign professionals for specialized roles requiring advanced qualifications. However, recent trends show a decline in H-1B approvals among major corporations.

USCIS data for 2024 reveals significant reductions in H-1B endorsements across leading technology firms. While Indian professionals remain the largest group of H-1B recipients, companies are altering their recruitment strategies. Amazon, the top H-1B sponsor, saw its approvals drop from over 11,000 in 2023 to just over 9,000 in 2024. Indian IT giants like Infosys and TCS also experienced notable declines in visa endorsements.

These trends suggest evolving corporate hiring approaches, likely influenced by changing policies and market conditions. Despite this, the H-1B visa continues to play a vital role in bridging talent gaps in the US job market.