Early estimates for the FY 2027 H-1B cycle indicate a sharp decline in registrations compared to previous years. The numbers have been falling over the last three years, but this year reflects the impact of stricter visa policies under President Trump.
Immigration attorneys Rahul Reddy and Emily Neuman estimate registrations to be between 200,000 and 250,000. This marks a drop of nearly 40 percent compared to last year’s 336,000 applications.
While registrations have declined from FY 2024’s total of 780,000, the reasons have changed. Earlier, the fall was mainly due to a crackdown on fraudulent multiple submissions by applicants.
Authorities had restricted entries to one registration per applicant to prevent misuse. This reduced inflated numbers and ensured a fairer selection process in recent years.
However, the current decline is not only due to stricter checks. There is also a reduced demand for H-1B workers overall, influenced by new policy changes.
A major factor is the introduction of a 100,000 dollar fee for cases filed outside the United States. This has significantly affected employer interest in hiring international talent.
Emily Neuman noted that around 46 percent of H-1B visas are processed through consular channels. These cases are directly impacted by the new fee structure.
At the same time, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has introduced a wage based selection system. This reduces opportunities for freshers and entry level roles.
The registration window from March 4 to March 19 saw participation, but not at the usual scale. Experts believe the trend reflects growing uncertainty among applicants and employers.
While official data from USCIS is still awaited, early signs suggest a challenging phase. Indian tech professionals aiming for opportunities in the United States may face tougher competition ahead.
