USCIS Sets March 4 Start for FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Window

January 30, 2026 — The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap will open at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on March 4, 2026, and run through 12:00 p.m. Eastern on March 19, 2026. Employers and authorized representatives seeking to sponsor foreign professionals under the annual H-1B quota must electronically register each beneficiary during this window using a USCIS online account and pay the $215 registration fee per entry.

Under U.S. immigration law, the H-1B visa program provides employers with access to highly specialized workers when qualified U.S. workers are unavailable. For FY 2027, Congress has set the H-1B cap at 85,000 total visas, including 65,000 for the general category and 20,000 reserved for individuals holding U.S. advanced degrees.

Registration, Selections, and Filing Timeline

• 📅 Registration Opens: March 4, 2026 at 12 p.m. (ET)
• 📅 Registration Closes: March 19, 2026 at 12 p.m. (ET)
• 📣 Selection Notifications Expected By: March 31, 2026
• 📁 Cap-Subject Petition Filing Window: April 1–June 30, 2026 (for selected beneficiaries)

Only employers with selected registrations may proceed to file a full H-1B petition on behalf of a beneficiary. USCIS intends to notify employers and representatives of selections through their myUSCIS online accounts once the selection process concludes.

New Selection Rules and Requirements

This year’s H-1B cap season features significant changes to the selection process, as USCIS implements a wage-weighted selection system for the first time. Under the new methodology — established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule effective February 27, 2026 — registrations may receive multiple entries into the selection pool based on the prevailing wage level associated with the offered position. Higher wage levels receive more weighted entries, enhancing selection probability for jobs with higher skill and pay levels.

To support this system, employers must include occupational classification codes, prevailing wage levels, and worksite information when submitting registrations. Proper preparation of this data before March 4 is essential, as accuracy directly affects eligibility and weighted chances of selection.

Additional Fee Considerations and Policy Context

Separately, a Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers — issued September 19, 2025 — may require some employers to pay an additional $100,000 fee before filing an H-1B cap subject petition, depending on eligibility criteria. While this new fee does not affect the registration process itself, it could impact costs once a registration is selected and a petition is filed.

What Employers Should Do Now

With the registration period less than two months away, USCIS urges employers and representatives to:

• Set up or update USCIS organizational online accounts in advance of March 4.
• Review job details, wage levels, and required data to ensure accurate and timely registrations.
• Plan for tight deadlines and the competitive nature of the cap season, especially under the new weighted selection system.

For the official USCIS alert and full details on the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration process, visit the USCIS newsroom.