The FY2027 H-1B registration period closed on March 19, 2026, with 343,981 total registrations — down 27% from FY2026. Here is when to expect results and what to do while you wait.
The FY2027 H-1B electronic registration period ran from March 7 to March 19, 2026. USCIS received 343,981 registrations, a significant 27% decrease from the approximately 470,000+ registrations in FY2026. This drop is directly attributable to the beneficiary-centric selection system, which prevents multiple employers from filing duplicate registrations for the same worker. Now that registration is closed, here is exactly what happens next.
Quick Answer: FY2027 H-1B registration closed March 19, 2026, with 343,981 registrations (down 27% from FY2026). USCIS will conduct the wage-weighted lottery and announce results in late March to early April 2026. Check results on myUSCIS (my.uscis.gov). If selected, your employer files the petition by June 30, 2026. If not selected, a second lottery round is possible but less likely with reduced registration numbers.
| Company | Total H-1B Filings |
|---|---|
| Amazon | 55,150 |
| Microsoft | 34,626 |
| 33,416 | |
| Infosys | 32,840 |
| Tata | 28,950 |
| Cognizant | 26,700 |
| Deloitte | 18,200 |
| Apple | 15,800 |
| Meta | 14,900 |
| JPMorgan | 12,400 |
The 27% drop from FY2026 is entirely due to the beneficiary-centric selection rule. In previous years, employers could register the same beneficiary multiple times through different companies, inflating total registration counts. The FY2026 number of ~470,000+ included many duplicate registrations. With the beneficiary-centric rule, each person gets one entry regardless of how many employers register them, producing a more accurate count of actual H-1B seekers.
For individual applicants, this is good news — your actual odds of selection are better than raw numbers in previous years suggested. The FY2027 lottery will select approximately 85,000 registrations (65,000 regular cap + 20,000 masters cap) from 343,981, but the wage-weighted system means odds vary significantly by wage level. Level 4 workers have approximately 62% odds, while Level 1 workers face only about 15% odds.
While waiting for results, there is nothing you can do to influence the outcome. Use this time productively: research backup plans (cap-exempt employers, O-1A visa requirements), ensure your STEM OPT extension paperwork is ready if applicable, and discuss contingency plans with your employer and immigration attorney.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →USCIS typically announces H-1B lottery results in late March to early April. For FY2027, expect results between March 25 and April 10, 2026. Results are posted to individual myUSCIS accounts — USCIS does not send email notifications. Check your myUSCIS account daily during this period. Your employer or immigration attorney may also receive notification through their USCIS online account.
The drop is entirely due to the beneficiary-centric selection rule implemented in FY2025. Previously, multiple employers could register the same beneficiary, inflating total counts. Some beneficiaries had 5-10+ registrations filed by different companies. The beneficiary-centric rule gives each unique person one lottery entry regardless of how many employers register them, eliminating duplicate gaming and producing a more honest count of actual H-1B seekers.
Use the waiting period productively: (1) Research backup plans — cap-exempt employers, O-1A requirements, EB-2 NIW eligibility; (2) Prepare STEM OPT extension paperwork if applicable; (3) Gather documents for H-1B petition filing in case you are selected (degree certificates, transcripts, credential evaluations); (4) Discuss contingency plans with your employer and immigration attorney; (5) Do NOT make major life decisions (buying a house, etc.) until you know your status.
No. The FY2027 registration period closed on March 19, 2026, and no late registrations are accepted. If your employer missed the deadline, your only options for FY2027 are: (1) cap-exempt employment (no lottery required); (2) alternative visa categories (O-1A, TN, L-1); or (3) wait until March 2027 to register for the FY2028 lottery. Ensure your current work authorization remains valid in the meantime.