Understanding the H1B Visa Cap:
What You Need to Know

The H1B visa has an annual cap, limiting the number of visas issued each year. Here's what applicants need to understand about the cap:

• Annual Limit: The current cap is set at 85,000 visas per fiscal year, with 20,000 reserved for applicants holding a master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution.
• Lottery System: Due to high demand, a lottery system is often used to select which applications will be processed.
• Cap-Exempt Employers: Certain employers, such as higher education institutions and nonprofit research organizations, are exempt from the cap, allowing them to sponsor H1B visas at any time.

Understanding these aspects of the H1B visa cap can help applicants strategize their application timing and improve their chances of selection.

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