To improve equity, openness, and efficiency in hiring foreign talent, the US government has redesigned the H-1B visa selection procedure and put stronger rules into place.
According to reports, these modifications have caused a 38% drop in H-1B registrations over the prior year.
38% Drop in New H-1B Registrations
In the past, several employers could register the same candidate, increasing the likelihood that they would be chosen.
No matter how many employers endorse a candidate’s application, they can only be registered once under the new regulations.
These modifications are intended to stop deceptive tactics and guarantee equal chances for all applicants, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
USCIS reported 479,953 registrations in the current fiscal year, a considerable decrease from 2024’s 758,994 registrations.
470,342 of these were found to be eligible.
In 2025, there were roughly 442,000 unique applicants, a slight decrease from 446,000 in 2024.
The impact of the new policy was demonstrated by the average number of registrations per applicant falling from 1.70 to 1.06.
Indian Applicants Receiving 72.3% of H-1B Visa
With Indian applicants receiving 72.3% of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted in 2023, India continues to be the top country for these visas.
For Indian tech workers, the H-1B visa is essential because it provides access to the US labor market.
The visa is a crucial route for skilled workers because it is initially valid for three years and can be extended for up to six years.
Although applicants must pay USCIS a $10 registration fee, there are other obstacles to overcome, such as scheduling consular appointments to submit documents.
Although applicants can submit their documents at any of the visa centers located throughout India, the US Consulate in Chennai handles all Dropbox submissions for H-1B visas.
Reducing appointment bottlenecks at US consulates and streamlining the renewal process for H-1B visa holders are the goals of the rule changes.
Notwithstanding these advantages, there are worries about the long-term consequences for employers and applicants given the sharp drop in registrations.
