USCIS Meets H-1B Cap for FY-2027 Amid Major Process Changes

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has reached the annual quota for H-1B visas for FY-2027. Changes to the selection process emphasize a wage-based model to align visa allocation with labor market needs, with fees introduced to encourage domestic recruitment over overseas hiring.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it fulfilled the annual quota of 85,000 H-1B cap beneficiaries for fiscal year 2027. The agency has completed both regular and advanced-degree selection lotteries, notifying all prospective petitioners with selected beneficiaries of their eligibility to file H-1B cap-subject petitions.

This year's cap met by the USCIS consists of a regular category of 65,000 visas, alongside an exemption of 20,000 petitions for those with advanced degrees from US institutions. The filing period for H-1B cap-subject petitions begins April 1, 2026, with a minimum 90-day window, and requires precise supporting documentation.

Aligned with labor market needs, the H-1B selection process has shifted to a wage-prioritized model, while a $100,000 fee targets employers hiring foreign rather than domestic workers. This change aims to reduce the system's misuse and reliance on foreign hiring, encouraging domestic recruitment instead, as per USCIS.

(With inputs from agencies.)