H-1B Cap Countdown & Calculator | Visafig Official Figures
The H-1B lottery hands out 65,000 regular visas plus 20,000 for U.S. master’s holders, and registration opens in March — miss the window and you wait a full year. This h1b cap countdown tracks the next opening and shows the reported historical selection rates by fiscal year, so you can decide whether to also build an employment-based green-card backup plan while you wait for the draw.
Photo: Gaël Gaborel - OrbisTerrae via UnsplashNext H-1B cap registration window opens (approx.)
March 1, 2027
Countdown: 204 days from today (8/9/2026).
Historical Selection-Rate Figures
| Fiscal Year | Selection Rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FY2021 | ~46% | Pre-registration; high selection |
| FY2022 | ~43% | Pre-registration |
| FY2023 | ~26% | 483,927 registrations |
| FY2024 | ~25% | 758,994 registrations (first round) |
| FY2025 | ~35% | First round; supplemental rounds followed |
| FY2026 | TBD | Pending USCIS publication |
Figures are reported historical estimates for planning only. Confirm current numbers at uscis.gov.
How the annual cap splits
Frequently Asked Questions
When does H-1B cap registration open?
Since FY2024, USCIS has run an electronic registration window that typically opens around March 1 and closes in mid-March, with the lottery conducted shortly after. This tool counts down to the next approximate opening.
What are the master's-cap exemptions?
An additional 20,000 H-1B slots are reserved for individuals with a U.S. master's degree or higher. USCIS selects from the advanced-degree pool before the regular 65,000 cap, improving odds for U.S. grads.
What selection rates should I expect?
Reported selection rates have ranged roughly 25%–46% across recent fiscal years, varying with registration volume and supplemental rounds. The figures here are historical estimates for planning — confirm current odds at uscis.gov.
If I don't get selected, what are my alternatives?
Common paths include cap-exempt H-1B employers (universities, nonprofits), an employment-based green card (EB-2/EB-3), O-1, or L-1. Tools like the EB2 vs EB3 comparison can help map a green-card track.