Is there a per-country cap for the H-1B?

No. The H-1B has no per-country cap. The program operates with a global annual ceiling on new petitions subject to the limit, and that ceiling applies to everyone, without reserving or distributing slots based on the applicant’s nationality.

In practice, this means:

• Professionals from any country compete for the same slots, with no separate queue by country of origin.
• There is an additional allocation for those who hold an advanced degree from a U.S. institution, but that distinction is based on education, not country of origin.

This sets the H-1B apart from employment-based green card stages, where nationality can affect wait times. With the H-1B, what matters is the global ceiling and, when demand exceeds available slots, a selection process. Since the limits and the format of that selection can change from one year to the next, no number should be treated as fixed.

Before planning your application, confirm the current rules and limits at the official source (USCIS) and, if needed, work with an immigration professional to understand your options.

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.