Fewer H-1B Filings in FY 2027: Which Applicants Stand to Benefit

H-1B visa registrations for the 2027 fiscal year have fallen sharply, with filings down by an estimated 30 to 50 percent compared with the previous year.

The decline follows the close of the application window and reflects a shift in employer behaviour in response to higher costs and regulatory uncertainty. Legal experts report that the drop is most evident among large IT outsourcing firms and start-ups, which have traditionally submitted a high volume of applications. 

Shilpa Malik, managing attorney at VisaNation Law Group, said her firm recorded a reduction of about 50 percent, while other specialists estimated a decrease closer to 30 per cent. Employers are increasingly cautious due to rising visa fees and expected changes to the lottery system.

This reduction is also altering competition within the system. Mid-sized companies and smaller businesses, which have often been overshadowed by larger firms, now face improved chances of securing visas. With fewer bulk applications, these employers see a more balanced process. 

Malik noted that smaller firms, previously discouraged, now consider participation more viable. The changes appear to favour candidates with advanced qualifications. Applicants holding US master’s degrees are expected to benefit, particularly as employers prioritise higher-skilled and better-paid roles. 

The annual allocation includes 20,000 visas reserved for such candidates, in addition to 65,000 for specialised roles requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, bringing the total to 85,000 visas. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is expected to notify selected applicants by 31 March 2026 through its online system. 

The results will influence how employers adjust their hiring strategies within an evolving regulatory framework. For smaller firms and highly qualified candidates, the decline in registrations may create new opportunities within the H-1B programme.

Overall, the figures indicate a shift away from heavy reliance on outsourcing companies towards broader participation by mid-sized employers and candidates with advanced degrees.