Google Parent Plots Expansion in India as US Restricts H-1B Visas

USCIS will open FY 2027 H-1B cap registration on March 4, 2026, and the selection method changes on February 27, 2026. For many employers, the headline is cost. For many employees, especially from India, the headline is odds.

A new “weighted” selection system will favor higher wage levels. A new $100,000 supplemental fee will apply to certain “new” H-1B filings for workers outside the United States. In parallel, Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent) is expanding in India, with large new capacity in Bengaluru. The goal is simple: keep hiring when U.S. entry becomes slower and more expensive.

📅 Key Date: FY 2027 registration runs March 4–19, 2026 (noon ET to noon ET). Selection notices are due by March 31, 2026.

Overview: U.S. H-1B changes and Alphabet’s India expansion

The H-1B program is still capped at 85,000 new approvals each fiscal year. That includes 65,000 regular cap numbers and 20,000 under the advanced degree exemption.

What changes for FY 2027 is the selection logic and the total cost for some cases. DHS is replacing a purely random selection with a wage-weighted selection. Higher wage levels can receive multiple “entries” in the selection algorithm.

Large employers are reacting in real time. Alphabet’s expansion plan in India reflects a broader shift. Work that once sat in Silicon Valley with H-1B sponsorship is increasingly being placed in India-based engineering centers.

Official policy changes and timelines (FY 2027)

USCIS has announced the initial FY 2027 cap registration window. DHS has also finalized the weighted selection approach.

Key dates and rule changes for FY 2027 include these items:

• Weighted selection effective: February 27, 2026
• Registration period: March 4–March 19, 2026 (noon ET to noon ET)
• Selection notifications: By March 31, 2026
• Petition filing start: April 1, 2026
• Employment start date: October 1, 2026

FY 2027 timeline table

⏰ Deadline: Employers should finalize job title, worksite, and wage level before March 4 to avoid rushed registrations and misclassification risk.

Key costs and fees employers must plan for

Two cost items are driving budgeting changes.

First, the registration fee is now $215 per beneficiary, up from $10. This fee is non-refundable.

Second, a $100,000 supplemental fee applies to certain new H-1B petitions filed for workers outside the U.S., under Presidential Proclamation 10973. This is separate from standard USCIS fees.

Common H-1B cap fees (excluding attorney fees)

⚠️ Employer Alert: Required H-1B fees are the employer’s obligation. Passing required fees to the worker can create wage and LCA compliance exposure.

Weighted lottery details and wage-level implications

The most important operational change is the shift from random selection to weighted selection.

Under the FY 2027 system, wage level matters:

• Level III and Level IV roles receive multiple entries, up to four.
• Level I roles receive one entry.

This directly affects entry-level hiring. It also affects job design and compensation decisions.

Employers should treat wage leveling as a compliance item, not a lottery tactic. Wage levels must match the duties and requirements. Level inflation can trigger Requests for Evidence, or worse.

For employees, the wage level is often the hidden variable. Ask which SOC code and wage level the employer will use. Then verify the prevailing wage at flcdatacenter.com.

Prevailing wage levels (quick reference)

FY 2027 cap process milestones: what happens after selection and non-selection

After selection: the employer files the full H-1B petition. This includes the certified LCA, evidence of specialty occupation, and the worker’s qualifications.

Workers in the U.S. often file with change of status. Workers abroad proceed with consular processing and visa stamping.

After non-selection: the employer cannot file a cap-subject H-1B petition for that worker for FY 2027, unless USCIS later runs another selection round.

H-1B transfers are different

If a worker already holds H-1B status and remains cap-counted, a new employer can file an H-1B transfer at any time. The cap lottery is not required. This matters for workers moving between U.S. employers, including layoffs.

Employees should confirm they are truly cap-counted. Prior approval notices and I-94 records usually answer that question.

Comparison to last year: what changed from FY 2026

FY 2026 followed the beneficiary-centric rule, meaning one registration per person, even if multiple employers registered. That rule continues, and it remains a key fraud-control measure.

What changes for FY 2027 is the selection weighting. FY 2026 selection was still random among properly submitted registrations. FY 2027 selection is not purely random.

USCIS has published large registration volumes in recent years. In those cycles, demand far exceeded the 85,000 cap. The practical result is consistent: small changes in selection rules can shift outcomes for entry-level roles.

Immigrant visa pause and broader context

In January 2026, the administration announced an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries. Public-charge and security reviews were cited.

This does not eliminate H-1B. It does, however, add uncertainty to long-term planning for global mobility programs. It also affects green card timing strategies for employees already in the U.S.

Alphabet’s India expansion: scale and focus

Alphabet has leased 2.4 million square feet in Alembic City, Bengaluru, in the Whitefield corridor. The reported capacity is 20,000 additional employees.

That scale would more than H-1B Visa Workers”>double Google’s India footprint, reported at about 14,000 employees today. The focus is AI and engineering roles.

These roles are the same profiles that historically relied on H-1B visas. India-based Global Capability Centers are now absorbing more of this work.

Impact on individuals and employers, including travel and stamping

The $100,000 fee creates a major barrier for startups and mid-size firms hiring candidates who are still abroad. Many will shift to India-based hiring or remote arrangements.

Travel has also become a risk point. A December 2025 internal memo at Google advised some H-1B workers to avoid international travel. The concern was visa stamping waits in India exceeding 12 months.

For employees, that means one hard rule: do not travel if your return depends on a visa stamp you cannot reliably obtain. Plan renewals early. Use USCIS premium processing when appropriate.

Official sources and where to verify

The only safe way to track cap season changes is through primary government channels. Start with USCIS cap season updates and the USCIS Newsroom. For rule text, use the Federal Register.

Employers should also track DOL guidance for LCAs and wage data.

What employers and employees should do now (February–March 2026)

Employers

• Confirm the role meets specialty occupation standards and document degree requirements.
• Set the SOC code and wage level early, then prepare the LCA for April filing.
• Budget for $215 registration per beneficiary and assess exposure to the $100,000 fee for abroad hires.
• For transfers, file as soon as feasible after offer acceptance, and keep benching rules in mind.

Employees

• Ask the employer which wage level will be used, and confirm it matches your experience and duties.
• If you are cap-counted, consider H-1B transfer options instead of waiting on the lottery.
• If you will need stamping in India, treat travel as high-risk until appointment availability improves.

Upcoming dates

• Feb 27, 2026: weighted selection effective
• Mar 4–19, 2026: FY 2027 registration window
• By Mar 31, 2026: selection notifications
• Apr 1, 2026: filing begins
• Oct 1, 2026: earliest start date

📋 Official Resources: – H-1B Program: uscis.gov/h-1b-specialty-occupations – Cap Season: uscis.gov/h-1b-cap-season – Prevailing Wages: flcdatacenter.com