H-1B visa Registrations are down significantly for fiscal year 2027, with an estimated 30% to 50% decrease in applications compared to the previous year. This downturn coincides with the closing of the application window, highlighting changes in employer behavior in light of updated regulations.
While large IT outsourcing companies and start-ups are particularly affected by this decline, immigration experts assert that these changes are also changing the employment landscape, creating new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Also read: 2026 H-2B visa cap exhausted: Check supplemental quota eligibility and application dates
H-1B: Companies do not need to apply for a visa
The lower enrollment is due to employers taking a more cautious stance this year. According to the Economic Times, many companies are choosing not to apply due to increased visa fees and uncertainty about visa modifications. lottery system.
Shilpa Malik, managing attorney at VisaNation Law Group, told the Economic Times that she had seen a drop of about 50% in applications compared with the previous year, while other legal professionals estimated the drop to be about 30%.
H-1B Visas: Who Will Benefit?
The updated system appears to benefit different groups of applicants and employers.
Those with a master’s degree in the United States are expected to reap the greatest benefits, while mid-sized companies are prepared to offer higher salaries for professional positions. In addition, smaller businesses that have previously faced challenges due to the high volume of applications from large outsourcing companies are also expected to gain access to additional opportunities.
Malik told The Economic Times: “Previously, these companies were often discouraged by the meager advantages brought by large outsourcing companies. Now the playing field is level and they feel they have a legitimate and fair chance to attract talent.”
She mentioned that master’s degree holders in the United States would likely benefit most from a master’s degree cap and a transition to higher-skilled, more profitable positions.
what’s next
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (immigration office) are expected to notify selected applicants via their online accounts by March 31, 2026.
The United States issues 85,000 H-1B visas each year within annual limits, 65,000 of which are for professional occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, and an additional 20,000 visas are reserved for applicants holding a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution.
