USCIS Announces FY 2027 H‑1B Cap Registration Period Opening March 4

Key Point 

• USCIS has announced that the FY 2027 H‑1B cap registration period will run from March 4 to March 19, 2026. 

FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration  

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the initial registration period for the FY 2027 H‑1B cap will open on March 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern and will close on March 19, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern. All prospective H‑1B cap‑subject petitioners and representatives must submit electronic registrations for each beneficiary during this period.

USCIS encourages employers and representatives to ensure their accounts are active and ready ahead of the opening date. Early preparation will help avoid delays and ensure timely submission during the registration period. 

Registration Requirements

Electronic Registration

• Employers and authorized representatives must register each beneficiary electronically through a USCIS online account.
• A $215 H‑1B registration fee applies per beneficiary.

USCIS Online Accounts

• Employers who do not yet have an account must create a USCIS organizational account before submitting registrations.
• Representatives may add company clients at any time, but both employers and representatives must wait until March 4 to enter beneficiary information and submit registrations.

Selection Notifications

• USCIS will conduct selections after the registration period closes.
• USCIS intends to issue selection notifications by March 31, 2026, through users’ USCIS online accounts.
• Only beneficiaries with selected registrations are eligible for H‑1B cap‑subject petition filings, including those qualifying for the advanced degree exemption.

New for the FY 2027 H‑1B Cap Season

Weighted Selection Process

The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on December 23, 2025, revising how USCIS selects H‑1B registrations. Key changes include:

• USCIS will now select unique beneficiaries rather than individual registrations.
• If the number of unique beneficiaries exceeds the annual cap, USCIS will conduct a weighted selection that prioritizes:
  • Higher‑skilled workers
  • Higher‑paid workers
• If the number of unique beneficiaries does not exceed the cap, USCIS will select all properly submitted registrations for those beneficiaries.

This change is intended to better protect U.S. workers by aligning visa allocation with skill level and wage tier.

Presidential Proclamation

On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued the Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers. While the proclamation does not affect the electronic registration process, it may impact petition filing.

If a registration is selected:

• Petitioners may be required to pay an additional $100,000 fee before filing the H‑1B cap‑subject petition.
• This fee is a condition of eligibility for petition approval.

USCIS advises employers to review the “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers” section on the H‑1B Specialty Occupations page for more details.

Looking Ahead

USCIS will update the H‑1B Electronic Registration Process page prior to the registration period with further instructions and resources.

The H-1B Visa Explained

To learn more about the H‑1B visa category — including eligibility requirements, employer obligations, key timelines and the full petition process — read Envoy Global’s comprehensive guide: The H‑1B Visa Explained: Everything You Need To Know.

Don’t Miss an Update

At Envoy Global, we combine smart, friendly legal teams with smart, friendly technology to facilitate immigration for companies and the global talent they depend on. Our holistic, proactive immigration services are built for accuracy and efficiency, always putting people first.

Reach out today to learn how we can support your company’s immigration needs.