2027 H-1B Visa Lottery Dates & New Wage Rule

H-1B registration for FY 2027 runs March 4–19, 2026 (noon ET).
New wage-weighted lottery multiplies selection chances for higher-paid roles (up to 4× for top wage levels).
Many cap-subject petitions now require a $100,000 additional payment if consular processing is involved.
Employers must use USCIS online accounts and prepare competitive wage documentation.
Early planning is critical to secure top global talent under the updated rules.

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The FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period opens at noon Eastern on March 4, 2026, and closes at noon Eastern on March 19, 2026. A new wage-weighted selection process will replace the prior random lottery, giving significantly higher odds to higher-paid positions. In addition, certain cap-subject petitions requiring consular processing are now subject to a $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility. All information is drawn directly from official USCIS announcements on uscis.gov.

Why These Changes Matter for US Employers

US companies continue to rely on the H-1B program to fill specialized roles in technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, and other high-demand fields. With the annual cap of 65,000 regular visas plus 20,000 for US advanced-degree holders, the selection process has always been competitive. For FY 2027, USCIS has introduced structural reforms designed to prioritize higher-skilled, higher-paid workers while still allowing access across wage levels.

Key Dates and Registration Process for FY 2027

According to the official USCIS alert (uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/fy-2027-h-1b-cap-initial-registration-period-opens-on-march-4), prospective petitioners must:

Create or access a USCIS online organizational account.
Register each unique beneficiary electronically between March 4, 2026 (noon ET) and March 19, 2026 (noon ET).
Pay the required $215 H-1B registration fee per beneficiary at the time of submission.

USCIS expects to notify selected registrants by March 31, 2026, through their online accounts. Only selected registrations may proceed to file a cap-subject Form I-129 H-1B petition (typically starting April 1, 2026, for an October 1, 2026, start date).

The New Wage-Weighted Selection Process

Effective February 27, 2026, USCIS will apply a weighted selection when registrations for unique beneficiaries exceed the cap (uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations and related alerts).

The process assigns “entries” to each registration based on the proffered wage level relative to the Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data for the occupation and metropolitan area:

Wage Level I → 1 entry
Wage Level II → 2 entries
Wage Level III → 3 entries
Wage Level IV → 4 entries

Higher-wage offers therefore receive proportionally greater weight in the selection pool. This change directly addresses prior concerns about program integrity and better aligns selections with Congress’s intent for the H-1B category. Employers who can legitimately offer competitive compensation at Level III or IV will see a material improvement in their selection probability.

The $100,000 Additional Payment Requirement

A Presidential Proclamation issued September 19, 2025, introduced an additional $100,000 payment for many new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025 (detailed on uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations under the “Presidential Proclamation” section).

This requirement applies primarily to:

Petitions for beneficiaries who are outside the United States and do not hold a valid H-1B visa.
Petitions that request consular notification, port-of-entry notification, or pre-flight inspection.

In practice, most cap-subject petitions involving consular processing for new hires abroad will trigger the payment. It must be submitted via pay.gov before filing the I-129 and proof of payment included with the petition. Petitions missing this evidence (absent a rare national-interest exception) will be denied.

Action Steps for HR and Global Mobility Teams

Audit your talent pipeline now — Identify beneficiaries who can be offered Level III or IV wages to maximize weighted selection odds.
Prepare USCIS organizational accounts — Ensure all authorized representatives and employers have active accounts well before March 4.
Budget for total costs — Factor in the $215 registration fee, standard I-129 filing fees, ACWIA fees, and the potential $100,000 payment for consular cases.
Consider cap-exempt alternatives — Where possible, explore extensions, amendments, or cap-exempt employers (e.g., institutions of higher education, nonprofits related to them) to avoid the lottery entirely.
Partner with specialists — Work with immigration counsel and global talent platforms to streamline LCA preparation, wage documentation, and compliance.

Conclusion

The FY 2027 H-1B season introduces the most significant procedural changes in years. By understanding the exact registration window, leveraging the wage-weighted system through competitive offers, and preparing for the new payment obligations, forward-thinking organizations can continue to attract world-class talent while remaining fully compliant.

All details above are sourced exclusively from official USCIS.gov pages and alerts. Employers should monitor uscis.gov in the coming weeks for any final procedural updates before the March registration period opens.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does the FY 2027 H-1B cap differ from previous years?

The numerical limits remain unchanged at 65,000 under the regular cap plus 20,000 for the U.S. master’s (advanced-degree) exemption. However, the selection methodology has shifted from a purely random lottery to a wage-weighted system. In addition, many new consular-processing H-1B petitions now require a $100,000 payment under a Presidential Proclamation, marking a significant departure from prior years.

Will offering a higher wage guarantee selection in the H-1B lottery?

No. There is no absolute guarantee of selection. However, higher wages significantly improve the odds. Under the new weighting system, Level IV wages receive four times the selection weight of Level I wages, meaning competitive compensation materially increases the likelihood of selection.

Does the $100,000 payment apply to H-1B extensions or cap-exempt cases?

No. The $100,000 payment applies only to new H-1B petitions filed on or after 21 September 2025 that fall within the scope of the Proclamation—primarily cap-subject, consular-processing cases for beneficiaries outside the United States. H-1B extensions, amendments, transfers, and cap-exempt filings are not affected.

When can selected employers file the actual H-1B petition?

After receiving a selection notice—expected by 31 March 2026—eligible employers may file cap-subject Form I-129 petitions starting from 1 April 2026. Approved petitions will allow employment to begin from 1 October 2026.

Are there any exceptions to the $100,000 payment?

Exceptions are available only in extraordinarily rare national-interest circumstances. Requests must be submitted in advance with compelling supporting evidence to the designated DHS mailbox ([email protected]). Routine business needs or talent shortages do not qualify for an exemption.

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