The H1B visa is a nonimmigrant classification designed for professionals who wish to work in the United States. It enables U.S. based organizations to hire foreign workers with highly specialized expertise in certain occupations. H1B speciality occupations include I.T., engineering, science, and finance.

It is a cap-based classification with a total annual numeric limit of 85,000 visas shared between two major categories of applicants. 65,000 visas go to regular cap applicants and the remaining 20,000 to the “master’s” cap. Applicants in the master’s cap are individuals with an advanced degree (master’s or higher) from U.S. colleges or universities.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses a lottery system to select randomly from the registration pool. This is because the applications received each year always exceed the stipulated numeric limit.

The first lottery randomly picks 65,000 applications, and the second lottery used to select an additional 20,000 with an advanced degree.

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