Key Takeaways
- H-1B registration for FY27 opens March 4, 2025, under a new ‘beneficiary-centric’ lottery system.
- Each foreign worker can now be registered only once, regardless of how many employers apply for them.
- The change aims to curb misuse and create a fairer selection process for all applicants.
- The registration fee remains $10, and the filing period for selected petitions starts April 1, 2025.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the H-1B visa registration timeline for Fiscal Year 2027, introducing a major rule change designed to level the playing field. The initial registration window runs from March 4 to March 17, 2025.
New Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process
This year marks a pivotal shift with the introduction of a beneficiary-centric selection process. Under the new rule, each prospective H-1B worker (the beneficiary) can be entered into the lottery only once for the fiscal year. This applies even if multiple employers submit registrations on their behalf.
The USCIS stated this reform targets previous misuse, where individuals with multiple registrations had unfairly higher selection odds.
“The beneficiary-centric selection process is designed to ensure that each beneficiary has an equal chance of selection, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf,” the USCIS said.
Registration, Lottery, and Filing Timeline
Employers must complete the electronic registration for their intended beneficiary during the March 4-17 period. USCIS will then run a random lottery on the properly submitted entries.
Only employers whose registrations are selected will be eligible to file the full H-1B cap-subject petition. The filing period for selected registrations is slated to begin on April 1, 2025.
Fee and Eligibility Requirements
The registration fee remains unchanged at $10 per submission, payable by the petitioner or their representative for each registration.
Eligibility hinges on the job being a specialty occupation. This requires highly specialized knowledge and typically a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field. The foreign worker must also meet all the specific requirements of that occupation.
Importance for Indian Professionals
The H-1B program is a vital gateway for Indian professionals, especially in the tech sector. The new rule is a significant step towards a more equitable system.
USCIS has warned that providing false information or fraudulent documents can lead to petition denial, revocation, and legal action. Accuracy in the registration is paramount.
For context, in the previous FY26 cycle, USCIS received enough registrations to meet the congressionally mandated caps of 65,000 for the regular category and 20,000 for the advanced degree exemption.
