H-1B Visa Registration 2027 Opens March 19: New Fee & Selection Rules

Q: When does H-1B visa registration for 2027 open?

H-1B visa registration for the 2027 fiscal year opens on March 19, as announced by USCIS. Employers must submit electronic registrations during this period to be eligible.

Q: Can individuals apply for H-1B registration themselves?

No, individuals cannot apply for H-1B registration on their own. Only U.S. employers are allowed to register foreign workers for the H-1B visa program.

Q: What is the H-1B registration fee for 2027?

The proposed H-1B registration fee for 2027 is $100,000 per registration. This fee aims to reduce mass filings and ensure serious employer participation.

Q: Why did USCIS increase the H-1B registration fee?

USCIS increased the H-1B registration fee to prevent lottery abuse, discourage duplicate filings, and ensure that each registration reflects a genuine job offer.

Q: Is the H-1B lottery removed for 2027?

The traditional random H-1B lottery is being replaced with a weighted selection system that prioritizes registrations based on job value, salary, and employer credibility.

Q: What is the weighted selection system in H-1B visas?

The weighted selection system evaluates H-1B registrations based on factors such as salary level, job specialization, employer compliance history, and labor market demand.

Q: Will higher salaries improve H-1B selection chances?

Yes, higher salaries may increase H-1B selection chances under the weighted system because they indicate higher economic value and market demand.

Q: How will H-1B 2027 changes affect Indian applicants?

Indian applicants may face less random competition but higher scrutiny. Experienced professionals with specialized skills and strong employer support are likely to benefit.

Q: What should employers do before H-1B registration opens?

Employers should finalize job roles, ensure competitive wages, register only essential candidates, and prepare compliance documentation before registration opens.

Q: What should H-1B applicants do now?

Applicants should coordinate early with employers, strengthen specialized skills, and ensure their job roles meet specialty occupation requirements.

H-1B Visa Registration 2027 Opens March 19

The H-1B visa registration for the 2027 fiscal year is set to begin on March 19, as announced by USCIS. This year’s process introduces significant changes—especially a proposed $100,000 registration fee and a weighted selection system—marking one of the most important policy shifts in the H-1B program’s recent history. These changes are set to impact both employers and international applicants, particularly professionals from India, who represent the largest share of H-1B recipients.

Below is a comprehensive, ready-to-publish overview explaining the new rules, their implications, and what applicants and employers should do now.

1. H-1B Registration Opens on March 19, 2026

H-1B registration for the fiscal year 2027 will officially open on March 19. This registration period is the required first step for the H-1B application process. Employers must submit electronic registrations for prospective candidates during this window. Registrations submitted after this window will not be considered, and only selected registrations will advance to the petition filing stage.

Foreign nationals cannot self-register; only U.S. employers can submit on their behalf.

2. The Registration Fee Is Now Proposed at $100,000

For 2027, USCIS plans a significant change: a $100,000 registration fee per H-1B registration. This steep increase aims to:

Discourage speculative and duplicate filings
Reduce abuse by staffing firms and intermediaries
Ensure that only serious job offers enter the process

This is a departure from prior years when registration costs were minimal. By raising the fee, USCIS hopes to streamline the pool and reduce the number of registrations that lack genuine employment intent.

3. Random Lottery Is Being Replaced with a Weighted Selection System

Instead of a purely random lottery, USCIS will use a weighted selection system for H-1B registrations. Under this model, registrations may be evaluated based on:

The salary offered
Job role specialization
Employer compliance history
Labor market demand

This approach prioritizes higher-value and in-demand positions, favoring roles that demonstrate a stronger economic benefit to the U.S. labor market.

4. What This Means for Applicants

The shift to weighted selection means:

Experienced professionals in high-demand fields such as AI, cloud, healthcare, and cybersecurity may have a competitive edge.
Entry-level or low-wage positions could see reduced chances if the system prioritizes higher salaries and strategic roles.

Applicants should work closely with their employers to ensure job roles and compensation levels align with market demand and USCIS expectations.

5. Indian Professionals Are Likely to Be Impacted Most

Indian nationals make up the largest portion of H-1B visa holders, particularly in the technology sector. With the weighted selection model and higher fees, the landscape could look very different:

Bulk filings from intermediaries are likely to decrease
Employers will prioritize experienced and highly specialized candidates
Competition may become more skill- and salary-driven than random

Early alignment between candidates and employers will be essential.

6. What U.S. Employers Must Do Differently

Employers should take these reforms seriously and prepare accordingly:

Limit registrations to top candidates instead of filing at scale
Ensure accurate documentation and compliance history
Offer competitive compensation that reflects job value

Volume-based entry strategies will no longer be effective given the financial and selection pressures introduced.

7. Why USCIS Is Restructuring the H-1B Program

USCIS has indicated that the reforms are intended to reduce misuse of the H-1B system and align visa allocation with genuine economic needs. Previous cycles saw high levels of speculative and redundant registrations that overwhelmed the system and limited opportunities for serious applicants.

The new fee and selection model represent a shift toward quality and intent-based visa allocation.

8. What Applicants Should Do Next

Prospective H-1B applicants should:

Discuss application strategy early with their employers
Focus on developing measurable skills that align with demand
Prepare complete and accurate documentation prior to registration

Timing and preparation will matter more than ever under the new framework.

9. Why Quality Immigration Coverage Matters

Policy changes like these can be complex and difficult to interpret without expert insight. Accurate reporting and deep analysis help applicants and employers understand regulatory shifts and prepare strategically.

Brandhexa features immigration policy insights and related resources—including high-quality coverage of U.S. work visas such as the O-1 visa—as part of its broader editorial offerings.

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Final Takeaway

H-1B registration for 2027 marks a major policy evolution with a March 19 start date, a $100,000 registration fee, and a shift from random lotteries to a weighted selection system. Applicants and employers who prepare early, align job roles with market demand, and focus on job quality will be best positioned to succeed in the 2027 cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the H-1B visa registration start date for 2027?

The H-1B visa registration for the 2027 fiscal year starts on March 19, as announced by USCIS. Employers must submit electronic registrations during this window to be considered.

Can individuals apply for H-1B registration themselves?

No, individuals cannot apply on their own. Only U.S. employers are allowed to register candidates for the H-1B visa. Applicants must have a sponsoring employer before registration opens.

What is the H-1B registration fee for 2027?

The proposed H-1B registration fee for 2027 is $100,000 per registration. This fee is intended to reduce mass and speculative filings and ensure serious employer participation.

Why did USCIS increase the H-1B registration fee?

USCIS increased the registration fee to prevent abuse of the lottery system, discourage duplicate registrations, and ensure that each application reflects a genuine job offer rather than bulk filings.

Is the H-1B lottery removed for 2027?

The traditional random lottery is being replaced with a weighted selection system. While selection still occurs after registration, applications may now be prioritized based on job value, salary, and employer credibility.

What is a weighted selection system in H-1B visas?

A weighted selection system means H-1B registrations may be ranked or prioritized based on factors such as salary level, job specialization, employer compliance history, and labor market demand, instead of being chosen purely at random.

Will higher salaries increase H-1B selection chances?

Yes, higher salaries may improve selection chances under the weighted system because they indicate higher economic value and alignment with U.S. labor market needs.

How will the H-1B 2027 changes affect Indian applicants?

Indian applicants may face less random competition but higher scrutiny. Experienced professionals with specialized skills and strong employer sponsorship are likely to benefit the most.

What should employers do before H-1B registration opens?

Employers should:

Finalize job roles and salary structures
Register only essential candidates
Ensure compliance history is clean
Prepare documentation before March 19

Early preparation is critical due to the high registration cost.

What should H-1B applicants do now?

Applicants should:

Start discussions with employers early
Strengthen specialized, high-demand skills
Ensure job roles meet specialty occupation requirements

Under the new system, job quality matters more than chance.

Will fewer people apply for H-1B in 2027?

Yes, the higher registration fee is expected to significantly reduce the total number of registrations, potentially improving selection fairness for serious applicants.

Where can applicants get reliable updates on H-1B policy changes?

Applicants can follow trusted immigration and policy coverage platforms such as Brandhexa, which regularly publishes explainers, visa updates, and global mobility insights.