H-1B Visa Filings See a Staggering 50% Drop Compared to Previous Year

Immigration experts are highlighting a steep drop in H-1B visa filings in the current fiscal year. According to their analysis and projections, the visa filing rate may have plummeted as low as by a staggering 50%. Our EB-1A experts believe that the underlying reason for such a downhill trend would be the changes to take effect in the recent fiscal year including the weighted lottery system and other restrictions.

In this context, Rajiv Khanna, the managing director at Immigration.com, has told the Economic Times, the following:

“We are down about 50% filings compared to the previous year partly due to the $100,000 fee and partly due to the wage-based selections.”

The downhill graph of H-1B filings

While in every other year, the historical data bears witness to around 400,000 H-1B filings, this year is witnessing a strange drought. Attorney Shilpa Malik of VisaNation Law Group articulated this downhill in concrete numbers. She expects the filings to fall to between 250,000 and 300,000 this year.

The deficiency in filings could be explained in the following manner: the 100,000 dollars fee and a wage-weighted lottery system may not be conducive for entry-level job roles. You can read our detailed take of the status of H-1B visa in the fiscal year 2026.

However, USCIS has also clarified that the hiked fee won’t apply for F-1 students who are changing status to H-1B.

The overall situation of the H-1B employers

According to the immigration attorneys and our EB-1A experts, the impact would be most deeply felt by smaller IT companies all over the U.S. The latter companies historically relied upon high-volume entry-level hirings. However, this hiring model will take the biggest blow in the current H-1B circumstances. On the other hand, the big tech companies will be hiring with more deliberation, choosing only the mid to senior level specialized roles. Interestingly, these roles are more likely to find success in the H-1B lottery.

Nationwide, Indians have taken the hardest hit in FY 2027. Previously, Indian applicants accounted for around 71% of all approved H-1B visas in FY24. But, now, the entry level applicants are going to face insurmountable odds as most hiring giants like Tata and Infosys are also determined to hire locally.

At GCEB1, we regularly discuss, dissect and publish our thoughts on world immigration. Stay tuned to our blog section to get more insights and updates. If you are looking for a personalized strategy for merit-based pathways, you can directly reach out to us. We wish you a safe and stress-free immigration journey.

Sources & Further Readings

1. The Times of India.“Immigration Expert Sees Sharp Drop in H-1B Visa Filings, Says ‘We Are Down About 50% Filings Compared to the Previous Year.” March 10, 2026.
2. The Economic Times.“US Policy Changes Could Cut H-1B Visa Applications Sharply: Experts.” March 9, 2026.
3. Jhansi.“H-1B Employers Back Out: Visa Filing Crash 50%?”M9 News, March 9, 2026.