H-1B Visa 2027: Details of the New Lottery System, Registration Dates, and Increased Fees
Along with significant modifications to the visa selection process, the U.S. has announced the FY 2027 H-1B registration deadline. Employers and candidates should be aware of the new weighted regulations and potential additional fees.
The important dates and new regulations for the FY 2027 H-1B visa season have been released by the U.S. government. Here is a clear explanation of what is changing and what remains the same if you are an employer, an immigration attorney, or a skilled worker observing the H-1B process.
FY 2027 H-1B Registration Dates
The H-1B registration window will start on March 4, 2026, at noon Eastern Time, according to confirmation from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
On March 19, 2026, at noon Eastern Time, the registration period will end.
Employers have 16 days to create a USCIS online account and register each employee they wish to sponsor. Each worker must pay $215 for registration.
At this point, paper filings are not permitted. Everything takes place on the internet.
Who Requires an Online Account with USCIS?
Employers must have a USCIS organizational account before they can submit an H-1B petition. Before registering employees, they must create one if they don't already have one.
Employer clients may be added to the accounts of immigration lawyers and reps at any time. However, until March 4, they are unable to submit registrations or enter worker details.
What Takes Place Following Registration Closure
The selection process will be carried out by USCIS after the registration window closes.
By March 31, 2026, USCIS intends to notify you if your registration is chosen. These notifications will show up within the online account of the USCIS.
Complete H-1B applications can only be submitted by employers with certain registrations. Workers who are eligible for the U.S. master's degree exemption are also subject to this restriction.
Significant Shift for FY 2027: The Selection Process for H-1B Winners
There is a significant change this year.
If demand surpasses the visa ceiling for FY 2027, USCIS will no longer handle all registrations equally. It will employ a weighted selection process instead.
Higher-paid and more skilled personnel will therefore have a greater probability of being chosen. The government claims that the objective is to safeguard American incomes and employment prospects.
Everyone who successfully applied will be chosen by USCIS if the number of unique workers enrolled is less than the annual cap.
Potential New $100,000 Charge for Certain Companies
A September 2025 presidential order is another significant event. A proclamation announced by Donald Trump may impose an additional $100,000 tax on some H-1B firms.
The registration phase is unaffected by this charge. However, before submitting the complete H-1B petition, a company may have to pay this sum if their registration is chosen and they meet the requirements of the proclamation.
Employers are encouraged to carefully consider the official guidance as there are still few details regarding who is required to pay this fee.
What H-1B Applicants Should Know About This
This season is probably going to be more competitive than ever for workers. Job roles and salary ranges are now more important during the selection process, not simply during the petition phase.
Early preparation is crucial for employers. The legal assessment, wage strategy, and account creation should be completed well in advance of March.
As usual, it is crucial to often review official notifications because USCIS may revise its guidelines before to registration opening.
