Table of Contents
Total 480K H1B Registrations Filed for 2025
H1B Lottery Results 2025
Alternatives to H1B Visa
Summing Up!
USCIS officially announced the total number of H1B applications filed for 2025, which is less than the previous year. The total number of H1B applications for 2025 is 479,953, compared to 780,884 in the previous year. The reason for this dip was the implementation of USCIS ‘new rule to combat fraud in the H1B lottery selection process.
In this blog, we will dig deeper into the total number of H1B applications filed for 2025, including how many were declared as eligible H1B applications, a comparison of H1B applications filed for the last five years (2021-2025), and the number of selected candidates in H1B lottery 2025.
Total 480K H1B Registrations Filed for 2025
The total number of H1B registrations filed for 2025 was 479,953. Out of these, 470,342 were declared eligible for H1B registrations. Eligible registration means registrations without failed payments or duplicate ones.
Each year, employers submit H1B registration applications, which USCIS shortlists through the H1B visa lottery system. Those selected in the H1B lottery have the opportunity to file form I-140, a Petition for non-immigrant workers. Once the form I-140 is approved by USCIS, the candidate is allocated an H1B visa that lasts up to a maximum of six years.
Now, let’s take a look at the number of H1B registrations filed in the last five years to see the trend over these years.
Fiscal Year | Total H1B Registrations | Eligible H1B Registrations | Eligible H1B Registrations for Beneficiaries with No Other Eligible Registrations | Eligible H1B Registrations For Beneficiaries with Multiple Eligible Registrations | Selected H1B Registrants |
2021 | 274,237 | 269,424 | 241,299 | 28,125 | 124,415 |
2022 | 308,613 | 301,447 | 211,304 | 90,143 | 131,924 |
2023 | 483,927 | 474,421 | 309,241 | 165,180 | 127,600 |
2024 | 780,884 | 758,994 | 350,103 | 408,891 | 188,400 |
2025 | 479,953 | 470,342 | 423,028 | 47,314 | 120,603 |
As the table clearly shows, the number of H1B registrations consistently increased from 2021 to 2024 but witnessed a dip in 2025. The reason for this significant dip was the introduction of a new USCIS rule to ensure only eligible candidates file an H1B registration and are selected in the H1B lottery.
This way, the rule ensured the same chance of selection in the H1B lottery for each beneficiary regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf through an employer or multiple employers. USCIS took this remarkable step to combat the fraud in the H1B lottery selection process.
H1B Lottery Results 2025
USICS conducted a lottery on 470,342 eligible H1B registrations and shortlisted 120,603 candidates only. Now, 120,603 candidates have had the chance to file a complete H1B visa petition (Form I-140, Petition for non-immigrant workers), which they must file within three months of receiving the notification.
USCIS conducts a lottery to shortlist candidates when it gets more applications than the annual HB visa cap, which is 85,000 (65000 for the regular cap & 20,000 for the master cap). First, it conducts a lottery for the regular cap to shortlist candidates, and later, it conducts a lottery for the master cap. This way, those who have a master’s degree get two chances to be shortlisted in the H1B visa lottery.
Alternatives to H1B Visa
Candidates not selected in the H1B lottery 2025 can look for the best alternative to H1B visas. It is better to get a visa similar to an H1B visa that can let you enter the US and start working rather than wait a whole year to appear for the H1B lottery again and follow the same process. Below are some significant alternatives to H1B visa:
- L-1 intracompany transferee
- O-1 or P-1 extraordinary ability visas
- F1 OPT
- H1B cap exempt
- E1 OR E2 treaty trader or investor visa
- TN visa
- J1 visa
Summing Up!
The number of H1B applications filed for 2025 signifies that USCIS has successfully curbed the unfair means employers tried to use to participate in the H1B lottery selection process. This is a great achievement by USCIS to ensure fair selection in the H1B lottery, and each eligible candidate gets an equal chance to be shortlisted in the H1B lottery no matter how many H1B registrations are submitted on his behalf.
Moreover, if you are not selected in the H1B lottery first round, you can either wait for the H1B second lottery or look for alternatives to the H1B visa to start your journey in the US.
