H-1B FY2027 Deadline Nears: Key Rules and New Lottery System Explained

Mark Your Calendars 📅: The initial registration period for the FY 2027 H-1B cap officially opens at noon ET on March 4 and closes at noon ET on March 19, 2026.

Embrace the New Weighted System ⚖️: USCIS is replacing the old random lottery with a weighted selection process that favors higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants.

Boost Your Odds with Higher Wages 💰: Your chances of selection increase with your salary level; Level 4 wage earners get four entries, while Level 1 earners receive only one.

Pay the Registration Fee 💳: Employers must submit all registrations electronically through a USCIS online account and pay a non-refundable $215 fee per beneficiary.

Watch Out for the $100,000 Fee ⚠️: A new rule may impose a massive $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions where the applicant is located outside the United States.

Count on the Master’s Cap 🎓: The system still reserves 20,000 visas specifically for beneficiaries who earned a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution.

Meet the Regular Quota 📉: The standard annual cap remains at 65,000 visas, which includes a set-aside for citizens of Chile and Singapore.

Await Your Selection Notice 🔔: USCIS plans to notify all selected registrants and their representatives by March 31, 2026.

File During the 90-Day Window 📁: If selected, your employer can file a full H-1B petition starting April 1 through June 30, 2026.

Prepare for an October Start 🚀: Approved H-1B petitions under this cap allow employees to officially begin their specialty occupation work on October 1, 2026.

Turn Your Dreams into Reality! 🌍 Connect with us at visa@gogpl.in or check www.greenoutdoors.in for more info.