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.
- Country:
- United States
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.
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