Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Registration Period/ New Process Details

USCIS announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 4 and run through noon Eastern on March 19, 2026. During this period, prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated $215 H-1B registration fee for each registration.

DHS New Process- “DHS is amending its regulations governing the H-1B cap selection process. This final rule implements a weighted selection process that will generally favor the allocation of H-1B visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid aliens, while maintaining the opportunity for employers to secure H-1B workers at all wage levels. The purpose of the new rule is to allow DHS to implement the numerical cap in a way that incentivizes employers to offer higher wages, or to petition for positions requiring higher skills and higher-skilled aliens, that are commensurate with higher wage levels. This weighted selection process will generally favor the allocation of H-1B visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid aliens, while maintaining the opportunity for employers to secure H-1B workers at all wage levels, to better serve the congressional intent for the H-1B program. Moreover, it will disincentivize abuse of the H-1B program to fill relatively lower-paid, lower-skilled positions, which is a significant problem under the present H-1B program.

Through this rule, DHS is amending the process by which USCIS selects H-1B registrations for unique beneficiaries for filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions (or H-1B petitions for any year in which the registration requirement is suspended) to implement a weighted selection process generally based on each beneficiary's equivalent wage level. When random selection is required because USCIS receives more registrations (or petitions) than USCIS projects to be needed to meet the numerical allocations, USCIS will conduct a weighted selection among the registrations for unique beneficiaries (or petitions) received generally based on the highest Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage level that the beneficiary's proffered wage will equal or exceed for the relevant Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code in the area(s) of intended employment. Under this process, registrations for unique beneficiaries or petitions will be assigned to the relevant OEWS wage level and entered into the selection pool as follows: registrations for unique beneficiaries or petitions assigned wage level IV will be entered into the selection pool four times, those assigned wage level III will be entered into the selection pool three times, those assigned wage level II would be entered into the selection pool two times, and those assigned wage level I will be entered into the selection pool one time. Each unique beneficiary will only be counted once toward the numerical allocation projections, regardless of how many registrations were submitted for that beneficiary or how many times the beneficiary is entered in the selection pool.” Federal Register/ Department of Homeland Security; 8 CFR Part 214; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2025-0040

Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B Lottery / New Process

The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2027 H-1B lottery is expected to start in early March 2025 and remain open for at least 14 calendar days.

Registration Process and Fee: If an employer wants to apply for an H-1B visa for a foreign worker, there are a few steps to follow. First, employers and their attorneys need to create accounts on myUSCIS.gov to participate in this process. Then the employer must register electronically and pay a $215 fee for each person being registered. This fee is nonrefundable and must be paid online through the pay.gov portal. It is separate from any other fees that might need to be paid later if the registration is selected in the H-1B lottery. If working with an attorney, the employer will need to coordinate electronically with the attorney.

Selection Process/ Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process: Each foreign worker will only have one chance in the lottery, even if multiple employers submit registrations on their behalf. USCIS will ensure that each registrant is only entered into the lottery once based on their passport information or travel document information.

Weighted Selection Process: USCIS has finalized a new selection process for the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap lottery. Under the new rules, the lottery would no longer be completely random. Instead, registrations for jobs with higher wage levels will have a better chance of being selected than those with lower wage levels. The government groups salaries for each job and location into four wage levels, from lowest to highest. Wage level one is typically tied to entry level positions, while wage level four is for senior level positions. As a result, the salary offered for a position could affect the odds of being selected.

Note: This new weighted selection process will likely be challenged in court, which could delay or stop its implementation.

DOS Immigration Visa Processing Pause for 75 Countries- January 21, 2026

President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans. The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge.

Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing all visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

FAQ: What happens to my immigrant visa interview appointment? Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of affected countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department will continue to schedule applicants for appointments, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during this pause.

FAQ: Does this apply to tourist or student visas? No, this pause is specifically for immigrant visa applicants. Tourist and student visas are nonimmigrant visas. Other bans may apply- this specific announcement refers to immigrant visas only.

Donating or Volunteering for a Political Campaign:

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including those living abroad, may contribute money to and volunteer with federal political campaigns.

For more information, see: https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/foreign-nationals/

Foreign nationals, including DACA, TPS, and nonimmigrant visas holders cannot give money to political campaigns. They may, however, provide volunteer (unpaid) services to political campaigns, so long as they are not in a decision-making role.

For more information, see: https://www.fec.gov/updates/foreign-nationals/

How to Check my Case Status?

USCIS will mail you and/or your attorney a form I-797C- also known as a Receipt Notice. On this notice, at the top of the page you will find your Receipt Number (containing letters and numbers). Once you located your Receipt Number you will be able to check your case status at the following link: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/mycasestatus.do. You will also be able to set up an alert that will automatically update you on the case status at every change. 

HOW TO GET A B2 VISA FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IN THE US?

The B2 visa category has a subcategory for entries to the United States for the purposes of medical treatment. You will apply for the B2 visa at the US Consulate of your country and you must show evidence of the medical treatment to be received along with the traditionally required documents.

1. Purposes of Medical Treatment

If you are to receive medical treatment in the United States or participate in a clinical trial you must secure the appropriate visa through an application at the US Consulate of your country. At the interview you will be asked to show proof of the specific medical treatment to be received or clinical trial that you will participate in by providing documents such as a signed letter and communication with the provider facility, hospital and physician. You may wish to include further documentation of how you qualify for the treatment or clinical trial participation such as proof of your condition or diagnosis.

2. Application for a B2 Visa

When you secured an approval of the specific medical treatment or participation in a clinical trial (or an invitation) you are ready to apply for the B2 visa at the US Consulate of your country. You will need to submit the DS-160 form online that will ask numerous questions on your background, personal information, past visits to the United States and other travels, list of any relatives you may have staying/ living in the United States at the time and you will be asked to provide a photo at the end. You will also need to pay the visa fee. Once completed you will be able to schedule the interview appointment date.

3. Documents to Bring to the B2 Interview

At the interview you will show documentation of the specific medical treatment to be received or the clinical trial you will participate in along with documents proving your intent to return to your home country upon completion of the treatment or trial. You must show evidence that you have ties to your home country such as property you own or a lease agreement, family, extended relatives and of course employment or business that needs your presence in your home country. You will also need to prove that you have the necessary finances to cover your expenses for the duration of the medical treatment or clinical trial so showing adequate funds in a bank account you have access to is key to the success of this application. At the time of the interview you will be told whether your application is approved or not.

4. After the B2 Interview

If all goes well and your B2 application is approved, you will then be issued a visa stamp in your passport. In practice you will leave your passport at the US Consulate and they will mail it to you to the address you provided in your DS-160 form at the beginning of the application. Once you receive your passport you must check that all information is correct and if so, you are ready to make travel arrangements.

HOW TO GET AN L-1A INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE VISA?

A US employer may transfer/ bring an executive or manager of a foreign affiliated company and obtain an L-1A visa for such an employee. A foreign company may also open a new office as a subsidiary or affiliate in the United States and secure an L-1A visa for its executive or manager.

1. The Qualifying Corporate Relationship

   In order to qualify for an L visa the foreign and US companies must have a specific - qualifying- relationship. The two companies must be either in a parent-subsidiary relationship (most common) or they must be affiliates -as in a majority stock ownership in both companies is sufficient to qualify. The two companies may also be in a joint venture setup where the two parent companies -at 50% each- own the company and it is then a subsidiary of both parent companies.

2. How do I Qualify to be a Beneficiary of an L-1A petition?

   In order to qualify for an L-1A visa, you must be an employee of the foreign company for at least 12 months in the three years preceding the application- assuming there is a qualifying relationship as discussed above. You must be employed in a position of a manager or an executive to qualify for the L-1A visa at both the foreign company and the affiliated US company as well- in the case of a new office you will be the one operating and setting up the new business.

3. What is the Process of the L-1A Petition?

   The US company must file a petition in the United States at the appropriate Service Center having jurisdiction over the proposed work location. The petition is filed on Form I-129. Once approved, the beneficiary generally will need to appear at an interview at the US Consulate of his country and then seek admission at the US port of entry in L-1A visa status. The L-1A visa is approved for an initial period of three years- or one year in the case of a "new office" petition. The maximum stay is seven years. Final note: wishing you good luck on your new adventure!