The results for the highly anticipated 2026 H-1B visa lottery have been released, with major tech companies once again dominating the allocation process. Amazon, Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Google continue to secure the highest approval rates among all participating employers.
Applicants can now verify their status through multiple channels: the official US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) online portal, via their employer, or through their legal representative. Prospective visa holders should note that notifications are being distributed in phases, meaning some applicants may experience delays in receiving their results.
The H-1B program remains a crucial pathway for US companies to recruit foreign talent in specialized fields requiring advanced knowledge and education. These non-immigrant visas primarily serve professionals in technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, and academic sectors, with candidates needing at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications.
This year’s application window ran from March 7 to March 24, 2025, with USCIS implementing notable changes to the process. Most significantly, the registration fee skyrocketed from $10 to $215 per beneficiary—a staggering 2,050% increase. This non-refundable fee must be paid during the initial registration phase.
The program maintains its annual cap of 65,000 standard visas, plus 20,000 additional slots exclusively reserved for individuals holding advanced degrees from American universities.
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