FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Opens March 4, 2026

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period will run from March 4, 2026 (12:00 p.m. ET) through March 19, 2026 (12:00 p.m. ET). Employers seeking to sponsor foreign professionals for an H-1B visa in 2026 must complete the mandatory electronic registration during this limited window.

H-1B Registration Requirements 
To enter the H-1B lottery 2026, employers must:

• Maintain an active USCIS organizational account
• Submit an electronic registration for each beneficiary
• Pay the $215 registration fee per beneficiary

Only selected registrations may proceed to file a full H-1B petition. Selection notices are expected by March 31, 2026.

Important Changes for FY 2027
This year’s process is expected to prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid candidates, and certain petitioners may face an additional $100,000 fee under a Presidential Proclamation.
With evolving regulations and a short registration window, early preparation is critical.

At Gilani Law Firm, we assist employers with H-1B cap strategy, registration compliance, and petition preparation to reduce risk and maximize readiness. Schedule a consultation with us today.

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/fy-2027-h-1b-cap-initial-registration-
period-opens-on-march-4​
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