The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it has received enough applications to meet the H-1B visa cap for FY 2027.
This includes both:
The regular H-1B quota, and
The advanced degree (master’s) quota
USCIS has already selected eligible candidates and informed employers whose registrations were chosen.
Only those employers who received selection notifications can now move ahead and file H-1B petitions for their candidates.
Who Can Apply Now?
If your registration has been selected, your employer can now file the H-1B petition.
Applicants can check their status through their USCIS online accounts.
The filing process must:
Be completed within the given deadline
Include the official selection notice
Be submitted either online or at the correct USCIS office
The filing window will remain open for at least 90 days starting April 1, 2026.
New Rules You Must Know
USCIS has introduced some important changes this year:
A new version of Form I-129 (dated 02/27/26) is now mandatory
Older versions of the form will not be accepted after April 1, 2026
Petition details must match exactly with the original registration
Applicants also need to submit:
Valid passport or travel document proof
Documents supporting the salary (wage level) mentioned
Big Change: Wage-Based Selection System
One of the biggest updates this year is the new wage-based selection process.
This means:
Higher-paid and highly skilled workers will get preference
Lower-paid roles may find it harder to get selected
The goal is to prioritize quality and skill level in the H-1B visa program.
₹83 Lakh Fee? Here’s the Major Shock
A major new rule could impact employers significantly.
Under a presidential proclamation, some H-1B petitions now require an additional fee of $100,000 (around ₹83 lakh).
This fee must be paid by the US employer, and it applies to petitions filed under the new rules.
What Does the H-1B Program Do?
The H-1B visa allows US companies to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields such as:
IT and engineering
Healthcare and science
Finance, law, and education
These roles usually require at least a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Fewer Applications Compared to Last Year
Interestingly, the number of applications has dropped compared to last year.
For FY 2026:
Around 3.39 lakh unique candidates applied
This was lower than 4.42 lakh in FY 2025
Total registrations also fell by nearly 27%
This shows a trend toward fewer duplicate or multiple applications per candidate.
Final Takeaway
The H-1B visa process for FY 2027 is now in full swing, but with stricter rules and higher costs.
If you’ve been selected, it’s important to follow the process carefully and submit accurate documents on time.
With new rules favoring skilled and higher-paid professionals, the competition is becoming more selective than ever.
