H-1B FY 2027 Filing Commences with New Wage-Based Lottery and Stricter I-129 Form Requirements

The H-1B visa filing season for fiscal year 2027 has commenced, marked by significant procedural and policy overhauls effective April 1, 2026. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new wage-based selection system and mandated stricter requirements for Form I-129, signaling a new era for the H-1B program. These changes, alongside increased costs and enhanced scrutiny, are designed to better align visa allocation with U.S. labor market needs and curb potential misuse.

Major Policy Shifts Take Effect

Starting April 1, 2026, USCIS began implementing key H-1B visa changes. These include a shift to a wage-based selection system and stricter form requirements. Petitioners also face increased costs and enhanced scrutiny of applications. The updates are intended to align visa allocation with labor market needs, addressing long-standing concerns about the program's impact on the U.S. workforce.

New Form I-129 Mandates Detailed Information

Effective April 1, 2026, all H-1B visa petitioners are required to use a new version of Form I-129. This updated form mandates more comprehensive information from applicants. The changes are a direct component of the transition to a new wage-weighted lottery system and are expected to result in stricter scrutiny of all submitted applications.

• Detailed information about job locations
• Comprehensive employment history
• Specific minimum job requirements

Wage-Linked Lottery System Aims to Curb Misuse

The H-1B visa filing season for FY 2027, which began April 1, 2026, introduced a major procedural change: a wage-linked lottery system. This system is a core part of the efforts to tighten scrutiny on job roles and wages. Its primary objective is to curb the misuse of the H-1B lottery system, ensuring that visas are allocated to high-skilled, high-wage positions.

FY 2027 Cap Met, Filing Window Open

USCIS announced on March 31, 2026, that it had received a sufficient number of unique registrations to meet the H-1B cap for fiscal year 2027. All selected registrants have been duly notified. Employers now have approximately 90 days, commencing from April 1, 2026, to file Form I-129 petitions for their selected beneficiaries.

Increased Enforcement with 'Project Firewall'

Adding another layer of oversight, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division announced 'Project Firewall' in September 2025. This enforcement initiative significantly impacts the H-1B visa program by prioritizing specific areas of investigation. The initiative is expected to lead to an increase in site visits and overall scrutiny of H-1B employers.

• Investigations into the displacement of U.S. workers
• Scrutiny of inadequate recruitment efforts
• Detection and prevention of fraud within the H-1B program