FY 2027 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 4

FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Opens March 4: Key Updates for Employers

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (https://www.uscis.gov/) has announced that the initial registration period for the FY 2027 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 4, 2026, and will close at noon Eastern on March 19, 2026.

During this period, employers seeking to sponsor foreign national professionals for H-1B visas must register each beneficiary electronically through a USCIS online account and pay a $215 registration fee per beneficiary. Employers that do not already have a USCIS organizational account must create one in advance. Hall Booth Smith and other representatives may add employer clients to their accounts at any time, beneficiary information and registration submissions cannot be entered until March 4. USCIS expects to issue selection notifications by March 31, 2026, through online accounts only. Employers may only file an H-1B cap-subject petition if the beneficiary’s registration is selected.

What’s New for the FY 2027 Cap Season

This year’s cap includes a significant change to the selection process. If registrations exceed the annual cap, USCIS will conduct a weighted selection that prioritizes higher-skilled and higher-paid beneficiaries, rather than using a purely random lottery. If registrations do not exceed the cap, all properly submitted registrations will be selected.

In addition, employers should be aware of a Presidential Proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, which may require certain petitioners to pay an additional $100,000 fee as a condition of eligibility after selection. While the proclamation does not affect registration itself, it could materially impact the cost of filing an H-1B petition.

Planning Ahead

Given the new selection methodology and potential additional fees, early planning is critical. Employers should review job classifications, wage levels, and internal processes well before the registration window opens to reduce risk and position themselves for success.

Experienced HBS immigration attorneys can assist employers in navigating these changes and determining the most effective strategy for the FY 2027 H-1B cap season. Contact one of our experts by visiting our immigration services page here: https://hallboothsmith.com/services/immigration/

Disclaimer

This material is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice nor does it create a client-lawyer relationship between Hall Booth Smith, P.C. and any recipient. Recipients should consult with counsel before taking any actions based on the information contained within this material. This material may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.