Winning the FY 2027 H-1B Race Post-Reform
The H-1B visa remains America’s gateway for high-skilled foreign talent, yet only 85,000 new slots open each year. In 2025, USCIS overhauled the electronic lottery to curb multiple-entry abuse and require individual “passport-level” registrations. As employers plan for the FY 2027 cycle, strategic preparation is everything. Below, Souza Law PLLC reveals the timing, evidence, and compliance moves that separate winners from left-out contenders.
1. Understand the New “One Passport, One Entry” Rule
Under reforms effective April 1, 2025, each foreign national may appear in the lottery once based on a unique passport number. Gone are the days when multiple subsidiaries could boost odds with duplicate submissions. Employers must therefore focus on rock-solid specialty-occupation arguments instead of “volume tactics.”
2. Registration Window & Fees
The FY 2027 registration window opens March 4–18, 2026, with a non-refundable $215 fee per beneficiary. Late filings are never accepted, and payment glitches can void your entry. We recommend completing registrations no later than March 10 to cushion for unforeseen USCIS portal outages.
3. Crafting a Specialty-Occupation Narrative
USCIS increasingly demands proof that the proffered role requires a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. Include:
- Detailed Level II or Level III prevailing-wage data
- A duty-to-degree mapping matrix
- Signed expert letters for emerging-tech positions
Souza Law PLLC’s in-house labor-economist regularly drafts occupation analyses that survive the toughest Requests for Evidence.
4. The STEM OPT Bridge
Candidates finishing a U.S. master’s in 2026 can leverage the 24-month STEM OPT extension as a “bridge” in case the FY 2027 petition is selected but adjudicates after their regular OPT ends. Plan this timeline early—SEVP can take up to 60 days to issue a new I-20.
5. Compliance Is Not Optional
Every H-1B cap case triggers at least one-site visit in the first 24 months of approval. Maintain:
- Signed Public Access Files at the worksite
- Payroll records that match the prevailing wage
- Timely amended petitions for remote/hybrid work changes
6. Timeline at a Glance
| Milestone | Recommended Deadline |
|---|---|
| Prevailing Wage Request | Jan 15 – Feb 1 2026 |
| LCA Filing | Feb 10 – Feb 28 2026 |
| Lottery Registration | Mar 4 – Mar 10 2026 |
| Petition Prep (if selected) | Apr 1 – May 15 2026 |
7. Partner With Souza Law PLLC
Our business-immigration desk boasts a 92 % selection-and-approval rate over the past three cycles. From bulk registration uploads to post-approval site-visit coaching, we shoulder the entire process—so HR teams stay focused on talent acquisition.
Beat the H-1B odds. Request your free H-1B strategy assessment or call (954) 372-7789 today.