Since the Trump Administration took office, it has introduced numerous changes to the H1B visa program, and many of those changes introduced in the last few months will have a significant impact on the upcoming H1B season that is set to start in March 2026.
Last Friday, on January 30th, 2026, USCIS issued an official announcement regarding the H1B Visa Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 registration submission dates, what is changing, and what everyone needs to be aware of. In this article, we will summarize the USCIS press release and outline the key changes that are in effect for the FY 2027 season, including common FAQs.
USCIS News: H1B Visa FY 2027 Season to Start on March 4th, 2026
Below is the summary of the USCIS press release from last week related to the H1B Visa FY 2027 season:
H1B Registration Period Start and End dates for FY 2027
USCIS announced in their press release that Employers/ Companies or their Attorneys can submit H1B Registrations for the FY 2027 season using the USCIS Online H1B Registration System during the below dates:
- Start Date of H1B Registration Period: Wednesday, March 4th, 2026, Noon EST
- End Date of H1B Registration Period: Thursday, March 19th, 2026, Noon EST
If the employers/ attorneys do not have an online USCIS account, they must create an organizational account to submit the registrations during this period at https://myaccount.uscis.gov/.
The number of working days are in-line with last year’s H1B season, where employers get about 12 working days to submit their H1B registrations. They can submit anytime during the given time window, there is no need to rush and submit them on day one.
No Changes to the H1B Registration Fee, stays at $215
- There are no changes to the H1B Visa registration fee, and it stays at $215 USD per H1B registration or H1B applicant submitted by an employer.
- In the past, for the H1B FY 2025 season, USCIS had a $10 fee per H1B registration, but it was increased to $215 during the H1B Visa FY 2026 season
New Weighted Lottery Selection Process
- USCIS said that it would implement the DHS’s published final rule that changes the H1B Lottery selection process to be based on wage levels. You can read more at H1B Weighted Selection Process Final Rule – How it works?
- If USCIS receives more H1B registrations than the required H1B Cap number of 85,000 by March 19th, 2026, they will conduct a weighted selection process based on wage levels. Unlike the previous H1B Lottery process, which was random, the current selection process would be based on wage levels, with Level IV Wage applicants getting 4 chances, Level III wage applicants getting 3 chances, Level II wage applicants getting 2 chances, and Level I wage applicants getting one chance.
- No changes to the Beneficiary Centric Selection process: The new lottery selection process does not change the previous H1B Lottery selection approach, which was a beneficiary-centric selection process that started during the FY 2025 Season. The new weighted selection process is an additional criterion in addition to the beneficiary-centric lottery selection approach.
- The weighted selection process based on wage levels will still use the Passport Number as the unique identifier during the lottery selection process. You can read more at the H1B Beneficiary Centric Lottery Process from FY 2025 for full details.
- Similar to previous years, there is no additional advantage in the current H1B Lottery process for anyone submitting multiple H1B registrations through multiple companies, as the lottery is based on the applicant’s unique passport number.
H1B Lottery Results, Notifications, Filing Petitions
- Similar to previous years, USCIS Plans to announce the H1B Lottery results by March 31st, 2026.
- As in previous years, H-1B lottery selection notifications will be sent to employers’ online accounts if at least one of their registrations is selected.
- As in previous years, only those applicants selected in the H1B lottery selection process can submit a H1B petition. They must include the H1B Registration Selection Notice during the filing.
$100,000 Fee is applicable for H1B Petitions, subject to Proclamation
- President Trump signed a proclamation on September 19th, 2025, that mandates a payment of a $100,000 additional fee for applicants applying for an H1B petition from outside the US. You can read more at: Everything about Trump’s H1B $100K Fee Proclamation
- USCIS mentioned in their press release that, for someone selected in the H1B lottery and who is eligible to file an H1B petition for the FY 2027 cap season, they may be subject to the $100,000 additional fee if they fall under the proclamation conditions. You can read more at USCIS guidance on who the H1B Visa $100K Fee applies to
Common FAQs
Yes, you need an employer to submit an H1B petition on your behalf. The USCIS system does not really stop anyone from registering an account online and to submit a H1B registration. But, that does not mean that you can sponsor H1B and submit H1B registration by yourself.
While, we have the $100,000 fee applicable for anyone filing an H1B petition from outside of the US, the H1B demand still likely to exceed the cap number. You can see the historical data of H1B Cap reach dates to get an idea. It is likely that we would have H1B lottery, but the H1B registrations would definitely reduce due to the $100K fee.
This is something you need to talk to your employer and figure out how they can increase your salary to move you to a higher wage level or move you to a different geographic location so that you may qualify for a higher wage level there.
What are your thoughts on the FY 2027 season for H1B with new lottery process? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Reference: USCIS press release on H1B FY 2027
