2026 H-1B Cap Season Recap and Look Ahead

Recorded March 25, 2026

Join us for a post-registration recap of this year’s H-1B lottery and a look ahead.

This H-1B registration was unlike any other in recent memory, as it was the first to involve a wage-weighted lottery. In this session, our panelists will discuss their observations and discuss some additional topics, including:

  • Timing – Master’s cap timing and what to do about those registered under Master’s who won’t get the degree until May
  • Travel cautions – Leaving the U.S. while petition is pending may trigger the $100k fee
  • Consistency in registration and filing – Work location, SOC code and wage
  • F‑1 strategy shift – No longer feasible for F-1’s to file as consular processing (gaining more OPT and STEM time) because of $100k fee
  • Cap-gap – Reminders for students relying on automatic extensions

Panelists

Sherry Neal headshot

Sherry Neal

Partner

Sherry Neal, a seasoned immigration attorney, dedicated the last two decades of her legal career exclusively to immigration law. With a diverse background initially covering estate planning, probate, and domestic relations law, she now focuses on representing various entities, from Fortune 500 companies to non-profits and healthcare organizations. Sherry offers expertise in employment immigration strategy, processing, and compliance, benefiting both organizations and their staff. As an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), she has held leadership roles like Chair of the Ohio Chapter and served on the Board of Governors and Healthcare Committee.

Anne Walsh

Anne Walsh

Partner

Anne, a Partner at Corporate Immigration Partners, offers counsel to various companies, from startups to Fortune 500 corporations and their foreign national employees. Her practice specializes in obtaining visas and employment-based green cards in all categories, immigration compliance during corporate changes like reorganizations and restructuring, office relocations, and company immigration policies. Anne has extensive experience preparing and reviewing business immigration filings, handling requests for further evidence and appeals, and conducting research and analysis on immigration statutes, policies, and procedures. She serves clients in diverse industries, including software, cloud technology, manufacturing, and electronics.

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