U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the initial H-1B registration period for the 2027 fiscal year. Registration opens at noon eastern standard time (EST) on March 4 and lasts until noon EST on March 19, 2026. Prospective petitioners and representatives can only register via a USCIS online account.

Registration Basics

Sponsors can sign up for an online account and add clients at any time. However, entering beneficiary information isn’t possible until noon on March 4. The same goes for submitting any required material and the two-hundred-and-fifteen-dollar H-1B registration fee.

Selections only begin after the registration period closes. USCIS sends notifications to selected petitioners and representatives via their online account by March 31, 2026. Afterwards, sponsors file a H-1B Cap-subject petition for prospective beneficiaries.

Changes for the FY2027 Cap Season

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule amending the regulations on how USCIS selects H-1B registrations for unique beneficiaries. The new H-1B selection process allocates visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid professionals. The DHS explained the change better protects the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities of American-born workers.

As always, Immigration USA actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, please contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws and policy updates. In an ever-evolving immigration landscape, we’re with you every step of the way