Does the H-1B have per-country caps?

No. The H-1B does not have per-country caps. The limit on new issuances is annual and global, meaning applicants of any nationality compete within the same ceiling, with no reserved allocation by country.

In practice, when the number of registrations exceeds the available slots, selection typically goes through a lottery. There is also an internal split: in addition to the general cap, there is an additional allocation for those who hold an advanced degree from a United States institution. Neither of these divisions, however, considers the applicant’s country of origin.

• The cap is global and annual, not segmented by country.
• Selection may involve a lottery when demand exceeds available slots.
• There is an additional allocation tied to advanced U.S. degrees, not to nationality.

Because selection rules and limits can change from one cycle to the next, it is worth checking the latest information with USCIS or a specialist before planning your application.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.