Latest H1B Visa News & Policy Updates 2025-2026

Trying to keep up with the recent H1B visa news feels like a full-time job. You wait for months, check your USCIS account ten times a day, and still feel lost. There’s always something new happening, but no one explains it clearly.

If you’re following the H1B visa news, you know how confusing things can get. So, if you want to know what’s going on now, join us and learn the new H1B rules 2025.

What is the Current Situation of H-1B?

The H-1B visa program is still in place, but interest has exploded. Let’s break down where things stand.

H-1B Cap Limits (Unchanged)

The number hasn’t changed; it’s still 85,000 H-1B visas per fiscal year. But that number is tiny compared to the demand.

Huge Spike in Registrations

In March 2025, over 781,000 registrations were submitted for the H-1B lottery. This is one of the highest numbers ever recorded.

So, USCIS became stricter this year. They spotted duplicate entries where people had multiple companies enter their names just to increase their odds. USCIS warned that these registrations could be flagged or denied if they don’t meet the rules.

What are the New Rules and Recent H-1B Visa Program Updates?

This is where H1B visa news gets interesting. Let’s look at the most important updates from 2025:

Second H-1B Lottery for FY 2025

On June 28, 2025, USCIS announced a second lottery. This doesn’t happen often.

• Why? Not enough selected applicants filed petitions in time.
• Who qualifies? Anyone who submitted a registration in March and didn’t get picked.
• When to file? If selected, you must file your petition between July 8 and August 9, 2025.

New “One Person, One Entry” Rule

USCIS wants to end the system where people get multiple entries just because multiple employers submitted their names. What’s changing?

• Only one entry per person, no matter how many companies submit.
• This change will make things more fair for first-timers and smaller companies.
• This rule is expected to be finalized by late 2025, possibly taking effect in 2026.

Changes to “Specialty Occupation” Definitions

USCIS is working on clearer rules for what jobs count as “specialty occupations.” This helps avoid confusion and unfair denials. If passed, it means:

• Job descriptions will need to match degree fields more closely.
• Petitions will require less guessing and fewer RFEs.

What are the Effects of Trump’s H-1B Visa Crackdown?

Time for some Trump H1B visa news! Donald Trump is back in office as of January 2025, and his administration is already impacting immigration policy again, including H-1B visas. The current impact of Trump’s return:

• More worksite inspections with officers increasing site visits to verify job offers are real and match the job role on file.
• Tougher adjudications since USCIS is taking a stricter stance on what counts as a “specialty occupation.”
• Increased RFEs (Requests for Evidence) if your degree doesn’t clearly align with the job title.
• Closer employer scrutiny since the administration is targeting third-party placements and consulting firms more aggressively.

H1B Lottery 2025 Latest News

Here’s the latest scoop on H1B visa news for the lottery system in 2025:

What to Do Now?

• Log in to your myUSCIS account.
• Check if your status has changed to “Selected.”
• If yes, get your documents ready ASAP.

What if I Miss This Round?

You’ll have to wait for the FY 2026 cycle, which is expected to open for registration in March 2026.

H1B Visa Stamping in USA Latest News

We had the Domestic Visa Stamping Pilot Program, which started in 2024 for a limited group. It allowed H-1B workers to get their visas stamped inside the US without the need to travel abroad just to renew their visas. The pilot was for visa renewals only and only for H-1B principal applicants whose prior visa was issued in India or Canada.

2025 Update

• The pilot ended in April 2024
• The State Department is reviewing the results
• As of July 2025, no new pilot or full rollout has been confirmed
• Expansion may come in late 2025 or 2026, but it’s not active yet

Benefits of the H1-B Visa Changes for US Employers

Companies are also seeing benefits from the changes in H1B visa news this year. Employer benefits include:

• Less fraud: One-person, one-entry rule stops gaming the system
• More fairness: Smaller employers stand a better chance
• Clearer rules: Less confusion, fewer rejections
• Improved processing: Faster approvals with better paperwork

For hiring, it means:

• HR teams can plan better
• Employers can attract talent without worrying about fake competition
• Fewer surprises in the process

What are the Changes in H-1B 2026?

Here’s what to expect if you plan to apply in 2026:

• The one-person entry rule will be active
• Updated forms with more guidance on job and degree match
• Expanded domestic stamping program

These new H-1B modernization rules may go into effect in late 2025 or early 2026.

H1B New Rules 2025: Let’s Recap

Let’s bring it all together:

1. Over 781,000 people applied in March 2025
2. A second lottery was announced on June 28
3. Filing for the second round runs from July 8 to August 9
4. USCIS plans to limit each person to one lottery entry
5. Stamping inside the US is now possible for some H-1B holders
6. New rules are coming in 2026 to make things fairer and simpler

At Visa Library, we know this process is overwhelming. You need answers, not more confusion. That’s why we offer visa FREE consultations to help you understand your options, improve your documents, and avoid mistakes. Our expert visa advisors are here for you.

Visit our pricing page to get started.

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