Overview
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the initial electronic registration period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap opens today, March 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST.
Prospective petitioners (employers) seeking to sponsor H-1B employees must register beneficiaries electronically during this window. The registration period will close at 12:00 p.m. EST on March 19, 2026. Because registration is required before an H-1B cap petition may be filed, employers should act promptly to ensure timely submission.
Key Changes for FY 2027 (2026 Registration Season)
This year, the H-1B lottery is operating under a revised and more stringent framework designed to prioritize high-skilled, high-paid workers.
Weighted Selection System: If the statutory cap is exceeded, USCIS will use a weighted selection process. Under the beneficiary-centric process, registrations will receive multiple entries into the lottery based on the salary level of the position, favoring higher-paid positions (Levels IV and III) over entry-level positions.
$215 Fee: The non-refundable registration fee remains $215 per beneficiary.
Passport Requirement and Consistency Rule: Each beneficiary must be registered using valid passport or travel document information. If multiple registrations are submitted for the same beneficiary, the passport number must be identical across all registrations.
Potential $100,000 Statutory Fee: A new statutory fee of $100,000 may apply to certain petitions filed after selection – particularly for consular processing cases – based on a late 2025 Presidential Proclamation.
Key Dates to Remember
– March 4, 2026 (12:00 p.m. EST): Registration opens.
– March 19, 2026 (12:00 p.m. EST): Registration closes.
– March 31, 2026: Date by which USCIS expects to notify selected registrants.
– April 1, 2026: Earliest date to file FY 2027 H-1B cap petitions.
What Employers Should Do Now
Identify Candidates: Finalize the list of foreign nationals (OPT, STEM OPT, TN, etc.) needing H-1B sponsorship.
Verify Information: Ensure you have accurate passport/travel document information.
Confirm USCIS Account Access: Confirm your USCIS organizational account is active and you are able to access the registration system.
Coordinate with Counsel: Work with your legal team to ensure proper job classification and wage levels for the new weighted lottery system.
If you have questions about the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration process or would like assistance preparing your registration(s), please reach out to attorney Andrew Mahon or any member of Barley Snyder’s Immigration Practice Group. We are available to help you evaluate your options and ensure timely compliance with USCIS requirements.
