Tuesday, June 17, 2025
A drastic decrease in H-1B visa sign-ups for 2026 have seen. Only 3.58 lakh people registered this time, a significant 26.9% decrease from the 4.78 lakh who did so last year, according to new data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). With numbers falling by over 54%, the decline is considerably more pronounced than it was in 2024.
120,141 people were selected to proceed out of all the registrations this year. Indian IT professionals benefit greatly from the H-1B visa program, which is also a key source of talent for US tech companies. The program grants 85,000 visas annually, with 20,000 of those visas going to those with master’s degrees from the US.
What caused the decline to happen in H-1B visa sign-ups for 2026?
This significant decline is being attributed to a number of factors, including new regulations, increased H-1B expenses, and shifting career goals for foreign employees. The USCIS’s efforts to combat duplicate entries and system abuse are also a significant factor.
On its official website, the USCIS stated, “We conducted thorough fraud investigations, refused and revoked petitions following the findings from the FY 2023 and FY 2024 H-1B cap seasons, and we continue to make law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution.” “We are also looking for any attempts to use the beneficiary-centric selection procedure to obtain an unfair advantage in the FY 2025 and FY 2026 data.”
Additionally, USCIS stated that when necessary, it will take firm measures, including as canceling petitions, denying them, and filing criminal charges. The statement said, “We think that these investigations, along with the beneficiary-centric selection process, have been effective integrity measures, as seen by the decreased filing rate for FY 2024 H-1B cap petitions and the decreased registration numbers for FY 2025 and FY 2026.”
In addition to changes in policy, the expense of application has emerged as a major deterrent. This year, USCIS increased the registration fee from $10 (about ₹856) to $250 (approximately ₹21,000). That had a significant impact, particularly for students and newcomers. “It is no longer a modest gamble,” asserted a Nagpur-born software developer enrolled in OPT (Optional Practical Training) in Washington. “People figured, ‘Why not try?’ when the cost was $10. However, $250 is a significant sum of money, particularly when a shot is not assured. Even though I have started accumulating money, I am not sure if I will register for next year.
At the same time, more people are now considering other nations rather than the United States. Aaftab B, a postgraduate student from Hyderabad who now resides in Chicago, stated, “A lot of us are looking at Australia or Germany presently.” “You feel more accepted there, and their immigration procedures are simpler. I am thinking about the UAE as well. Due to job volatility, H-1B dependency, and lengthy green card wait times, the US seems unsure. Simply put, the tension is no longer worth it.
According to experts, this shift may significantly affect how Indian students relocate outside. One of the top nations sending students to the US has always been India. Most international students will not be able to achieve the “American Dream” of full sponsorship of an H-1B visa and instant work at a high income. According to renowned researcher and economist Orn Bodvarsson, “it is not the late 1990s and early 2000s anymore.” “Indian student emigration to the USA will decline as word spreads back to India that post-graduation labor market outcomes are not as robust as they were previously.”
