What is the H-1B denial rate in 2025?

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, the H-1B denial rate for initial employment petitions was around 2.8%, a slight increase from FY 2024, while continuing employment (extensions/amendments) had a lower denial rate of about 1.9%, remaining stable from the previous year, with both rates significantly lower than the high rates seen in FY 2018-2019. However, some reports suggest potential future increases due to stricter policies under the new Trump administration, with projections of higher denials for certain firms and first-time applicants.

What is the denial rate for H-1B in 2025?

The denial rate for H-1 B petitions for initial employment rose to 2.8% in FY 2025 from 2.5% in FY 2024. That was lower than the 3.5% rate in FY 2023 but above the 2.2% rate in FY 2022.

What are the chances of getting H-1B visa in 2025?

Increasing demand for H-1B visas

In 2020, 269,424 eligible registrants participated in the visa lottery. Looking at 2024, the number increased 74% to 470,342, and in 2025 decreased to 343,981. Meanwhile, the total lottery selections have remained relatively stable over time.

How many people are getting H-1B in 2025?

A Low Annual Limit On H-1B Visas

In FY 2025, employers entered approximately 442,000 unique beneficiaries into the H-1B registration process, which means that USCIS rejected more than 300,000 H-1B beneficiaries due to the 85,000 annual limit.

Is there a second lottery for H-1B 2025?

USCIS will conduct a second H-1B lottery for the FY 2025 regular cap to meet unmet visa quotas. The second lottery is due to high demand and insufficient petitions from the initial selection. Only previously unselected registrations are eligible for the second lottery.

What Is The H-1B Denial Rate? - US Citizenship Immigration Guide

What are the new H-1B visa rules 2025?

H-1B rules in 2025 saw major shifts, including a September 2025 Presidential Proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for most new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, for those outside the U.S. and needing entry. Simultaneously, new USCIS rules implemented a weighted lottery system prioritizing higher wage levels (OEWS) for better odds and strengthened program integrity, alongside enhanced vetting and social media review.
 

What is the success rate of H-1B in 2026?

Since the approximate 24.8 percent selection rate in FY 2024, the selection rate has been trending upward, reaching approximately 29 percent in FY 2025 and approximately 35 percent in FY 2026, reflecting roughly a 5 percent increase each year.

Is H-1B purely luck?

If you are graduating in 2025 or 2026 and your employer plans to file an H-1B registration for you in March 2026, your chance of being selected will be based on the wage level your job offer falls into rather than pure luck.

Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

The $100,000 H-1B fee, implemented in late 2025, primarily targets U.S. employers filing new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S. who need to obtain an H-1B visa abroad, rather than those already in the U.S. for change of status or extensions, or for current H-1B holders. Employers filing for new hires from overseas, especially for roles where a U.S. worker isn't readily available, often face this fee as a significant cost to bring talent in, with limited exceptions possible, according to guidance from USCIS. 

Which country gets the most H-1B visas?

India has the most H-1B visa holders by a significant margin, accounting for roughly 70-75% of all approved H-1B visas in recent fiscal years (FY 2023-2024), followed distantly by China, which consistently ranks second. This dominance reflects India's large pool of STEM graduates and its deep integration into the U.S. tech talent pipeline, with many H-1B workers employed in computer-related fields. 

What is the salary for H-1B in 2025?

H1B salaries in 2025 vary significantly by experience, location, and industry, but generally fall into wage levels set by the Department of Labor (DOL), with averages ranging from entry-level around $125,000 (Level 1) to experienced roles exceeding $160,000 (Level 4), though significant policy changes in late 2025 introduced a potential $100,000 fee for new petitions and prioritized higher wages in the lottery, making premium wages crucial for success.
 

What are the odds of getting H-1B in 3 attempts?

So, a STEM OPT student has approximately a 72.5% chance of being selected for an H-1B visa over three attempts, assuming consistent selection rates and no significant policy changes. The odds are much better than before.

What are the common H-1B denial reasons?

Top Reasons for H-1B Visa Denial

• Failing to fulfill specialty occupation requirements.
• Not presenting appropriate academic qualifications.
• Failing to provide third-party work-site evidence.
• Incorrectly maintaining your current residency status.
• Failing to establish a legitimate employer-employee relationship.

Will USCIS slow down in 2025?

A 2025 government shutdown may slow background checks or partner agency reviews. These steps affect USCIS processing time. For those in the immigration process, patience is critical. An immigrant waiting for a green card may see longer timelines.

Which US visa has the highest rejection rate?

Non-immigrant visa rejection rates

Because each case must prove a clear purpose, enough funds, and strong ties to home, rejection rates can vary widely by visa type and country. Tourist-heavy categories like B1/B2 typically see higher refusals, while petition-backed visas (e.g., H-1B, L-1) trend lower.

What is the 3 for 1 rule for H-1B?

The H-1B visa "3 for 1 rule" allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to grant degree equivalency for H-1B eligibility, meaning three years of relevant, progressive work experience or specialized training counts as one year of a bachelor's degree. This helps individuals without a full degree qualify for specialty occupations by demonstrating they have the equivalent education, but requires detailed documentation of theoretical and practical knowledge gained while working with degree-holding peers. 

What is the new H-1B rule 2025?

H-1B rules in 2025 saw major shifts, including a September 2025 Presidential Proclamation requiring a $100,000 fee for most new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, for those outside the U.S. and needing entry. Simultaneously, new USCIS rules implemented a weighted lottery system prioritizing higher wage levels (OEWS) for better odds and strengthened program integrity, alongside enhanced vetting and social media review.
 

Which company gives the most H-1B visas?

Amazon consistently sponsors the most H-1B visas, leading the list in recent years (FY2025), followed closely by major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google, along with large IT firms such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Cognizant, though the landscape shifts with some Indian IT companies dominating over longer periods.
 

Is there a second H-1B lottery for 2026?

No, there was no second H-1B lottery for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced in July 2025 that they received enough petitions from the initial selection to meet the annual cap, closing out the process for that year. While multiple rounds have happened in past years when not enough filings were received, the FY2026 initial selection successfully filled all available visa slots, meaning no further lotteries were needed. 

Can I get H-1B without lottery?

Due to regular high demand, many H1B visa applicants face low odds of selection in the annual lottery, with only a small portion making it through each year. However, certain employers are exempt from this cap on H1B visas, and can file at any time, regardless of the limit or selection in the lottery.

How is the H-1B lottery picked?

In total, there are 85,000 new H-1B visas authorized each year. When demand exceeds the number of visas available, USCIS runs a random, computer-generated cap registration process (commonly known as the “lottery”) to determine who is selected. The lottery is conducted via an online initial registration system.

How difficult is an H-1B visa interview?

An H1B visa interview isn't inherently "tough," but it can feel intimidating because it's a high-stakes conversation where you must prove your qualifications and intent for a legitimate job in the U.S.; preparation is key, focusing on your specific role, employer, education, and showing you're not trying to immigrate permanently, with scrutiny increasing for lesser-known companies or complex contracting situations. Many find it goes smoothly with honest, clear answers, while others face intense questioning or requests for extra documents (221(g)), especially if flagged for administrative processing. 

Is the H-1B visa lottery fair?

The H-1B visa lottery is supposed to be fair, an impartial system that gives immigrant workers a chance to secure a job in the United States. However, now it looks like some companies are doing their best to take advantage of the lottery, and that can affect workers who try and do things the right way.