H-1B Lottery 2027 Update: Immigration Lawyers Predict Registration Numbers to Reach Around 200,000 Immigration attorneys Rahul Reddy and Emily Neumann have predicted that the total number of H-1B cap registrations for fiscal year 2027 will drop to approximately 200,000, marking a significant decline from previous years. This projection comes amid a trend of decreasing registrations, with figures falling to 780,884 in 2024, 479,943 in 2025, and 358,737 in 2026. The attorneys attribute this decline to the $100,000 fee imposed on employers for H-1B petitions, which has discouraged many companies from participating in the registration process. The wage-based selection process, a new policy implemented for the first time in 2027, is expected to influence the lottery outcome but not the total number of registrations. While the fee has had a more direct impact on participation, the wage-based system aims to prioritize candidates with higher salaries, potentially altering the demographic of applicants. However, immigration lawyers suggest that the number of registrations will remain within the range of 200,000 to 250,000 for the current fiscal year. The H-1B registration period for FY 2027 ran from March 4 to March 19, during which employers submitted electronic registrations for candidates they intended to hire. It is important to note that this step does not constitute a formal petition but rather a preliminary registration. Employers who select candidates not already in the U.S. will face a $100,000 fee, whereas those hiring candidates already in the U.S. on Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas will not incur the cost. Results from the lottery are expected by March 31, with employers receiving notifications directly from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).#rahul_reddy #emily_neumann #uscis #h1b_lottery #wage_based_selection
