The number of H-1B visa applications is projected to decline sharply this year, with immigration experts estimating a drop of up to 50 percent. Many prospective applicants are reportedly withdrawing their plans due to increased visa fees and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the lottery-based selection system.

Experts indicate that overall applications could fall between 30 and 50 percent compared to the previous year. A significant factor behind this decline is the rise in application costs, coupled with unclear policy adjustments affecting the visa lottery process. The earlier deadline for H-1B submissions concluded on May 19.

According to immigration service providers, these policy shifts have notably impacted IT services firms. The current framework appears to favor highly educated candidates with the potential to secure higher salaries. Agencies also report a growing number of applications from small and medium-sized enterprises that are willing to offer competitive pay to attract skilled professionals. These firms are now facing reduced competition from large IT corporations.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services recently opened registrations for H-1B visas for the 2027 cycle, with the application window scheduled between March 4 and March 19. However, the total number of applications received this cycle has not yet been disclosed.

In the previous year, approximately 336,153 applications were submitted, out of which 85,000 candidates were selected through the annual lottery system. Immigration attorneys note that application numbers have been affected since higher fee structures were introduced during the Donald Trump administration. Under the revised system, candidates holding master’s degrees are believed to have improved chances of selection.