FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration: Key Dates and New Requirements

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the timeline and procedural updates for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap season.

Initial Registration Timeline

The electronic registration window for the H-1B lottery will open and close on the following schedule:

Opens: March 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Noon) ET.
Closes: March 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Noon) ET.

Prospective petitioners and legal representatives must use a USCIS online organizational account to register beneficiaries. Selection notifications are expected to be sent via online accounts by March 31, 2026.

Important Registration Dates

Event	Date & Time
Registration Period Opens	March 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Noon) ET
Registration Period Closes	March 19, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Noon) ET
Selection Notifications Sent	By March 31, 2026
Petition Filing Begins	April 1, 2026

How to Register for the H-1B Lottery

Employers and representatives must use a USCIS online organizational account to complete the following:

Registration Fee: A non-refundable $215 fee is required for each beneficiary registered.
Selection Eligibility: Only those with a selected registration may file a full H-1B cap-subject petition, including those qualifying for the advanced degree (Master’s) exemption.
Account Setup: While organizational accounts can be created now and representatives can add clients to accounts immediately, beneficiary data entry and fee payments cannot begin until the window opens on March 4, 2026.

New Selection Process for FY 2027

Following a final rule from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the selection process has shifted to prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid workers.

Weighted Selection, if the Cap is Exceeded: If registrations exceed the numerical cap, USCIS will conduct a weighted selection from the pool of unique beneficiaries. Selection odds are weighted based on the Department of Labor (DOL) wage levels. Candidates at Level 4 receive four entries, while Level 1 candidates receive one.
If the Cap is Not Reached: In the event that USCIS does not receive enough unique registrations to meet the numerical cap, all properly submitted registrations for unique beneficiaries will be selected automatically.
Objective: This change aims to protect the wages, working conditions and job opportunities of U.S. workers by allocating visas to those with higher salary offers and advanced skills.

Impact of the Presidential Proclamation

On September 19, 2025, a Presidential Proclamation was issued regarding the entry of certain nonimmigrant workers. While this does not change the registration window itself, it introduces a significant financial requirement:

Additional $100,000 Fee: Selected petitioners may be required to pay a $100,000 H-1B visa fee as a condition of eligibility before filing their formal H-1B cap-subject petition.
Who is Affected: This fee generally applies to beneficiaries who are currently outside the U.S. or those requiring consular notification because they are ineligible for a “Change of Status” within the country.

Strategic Alternatives: E-2, E-3, and Beyond

If your registration is not selected, or if the new weighted lottery system reduces your candidate’s odds, it is important to explore alternatives to H-1B visa. Our immigration lawyers specialize in a variety of non-immigrant and immigrant categories, including:

E-3 Visa: Exclusively for Australian professionals in specialty occupations.
E-2 Visa: For treaty investors and E-2 Employees from over 80 treaty countries, including E-2 for Australians, E-2 for Canadians, E-2 for UK Citizens
TN Visa: For citizens of Canada and Mexico under the USMCA.
O-1 Visa: For individuals with extraordinary ability in science, business, or the arts.
L-1 Visa: For intracompany transferees (executives, managers, or specialized knowledge), including L-1 for Canadians, L-1B specialized knowledge and L-1 New Office,
Other visas and green cards.

Why Partner with Malescu Law?

Our H-1B visa lawyers provide comprehensive support, from determining the optimal wage level to individualized case strategy to help you decide on alternative visas, if your application is not selected in the lottery. We help you manage the complexities of the new $100,000 fee requirements and ensure your business remains compliant with the latest DHS regulations.

We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Contact us or schedule a consultation.

Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Immigration Lawyers