The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the H-1B visa registration window for fiscal year 2027 will open on March 4, 2026, and close on March 19, 2026, marking the start of the annual H-1B cap lottery season. Employers and petitioners seeking to sponsor foreign workers for the H-1B programme must submit electronic registrations through the USCIS portal during this period. Selected registrations will then be notified by March 31, 2026
What’s New This Year
While the basic structure of the H-1B registration remains — with an 85,000 annual cap including 20,000 visas for graduates with US advanced degrees — the FY 2027 season introduces some of the most significant changes in years. One of the headline updates is a $100,000 surcharge that applies to certain H-1B petitions if the beneficiary is outside the United States or does not have a valid visa at the time of filing. This new fee is separate from the standard registration and filing fees and reflects policy measures aimed at deterring misuse of the H-1B system while generating additional revenue.
Wage-Weighted Selection System
In addition to the fee change, USCIS is implementing a wage-weighted selection process for the cap lottery, which became effective in early February 2026. Under this system, each registration receives between one and four entries in the lottery based on the wage level offered for the job — with higher salaries conferring more entries and thus higher chances of selection. This marks a shift away from the traditional random lottery and is designed to prioritize higher-paid, highly skilled workers.
Why These Changes Matter
The combination of the increased petition fee and wage-weighted lottery introduces important strategic considerations for employers and foreign professionals alike. Companies must carefully plan job offers and wage levels to maximise their odds of selection under the new system, which may favour larger firms or roles with higher compensation. Smaller firms and startups could face challenges due to the financial burden of the additional fee and lower weighting in the selection process.
Practical Steps for Employers and Applicants
For organisations planning to sponsor H-1B candidates, preparation is crucial. Employers need to:
- Set up or update their USCIS online account before the registration window opens.
- Determine accurate wage levels and job classifications to optimise lottery entries.
- Prepare for the $100,000 fee if applicable, especially for hires based outside the United States.
- Register each beneficiary electronically within the March registration period.
Applicants — especially international graduates and skilled professionals — should coordinate closely with prospective employers to ensure all documentation and wage data are aligned ahead of the registration period.
Larger Context and Future Outlook
The H-1B visa programme has long been a critical pathway for skilled foreign workers — particularly in tech, engineering and research sectors — to work in the United States. With Indians representing a significant share of H-1B beneficiaries globally, these new rules could influence hiring strategies and career paths for thousands of professionals. They come amid broader changes in US immigration policy that also include enhanced vetting and processing requirements for work visas.
As the March registration window approaches, employers and applicants alike are urged to prepare early, understand the implications of the new fee and weighted lottery system, and adapt their filing strategies for this more competitive H-1B cap season.
