U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the FY 2027 H-1B cap initial registration period will open at 12:00 PM Eastern on March 4, 2026, and will remain open through 12:00 PM Eastern on March 19, 2026.
During this registration window, employers (and their authorized representatives) must submit electronic registrations for each prospective H-1B beneficiary through a USCIS online account and pay the required registration fee.
Key Dates and Requirements
- Registration opens: March 4, 2026 (12:00 PM ET)
- Registration closes: March 19, 2026 (12:00 PM ET)
- USCIS online account required: Employers and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register beneficiaries.
- Organizational accounts: If your company does not yet have an online account, USCIS states that employers must create an organizational account to participate.
- Registration fee: $215 per beneficiary for each registration.
Selection Notices
USCIS indicates it intends to send selection notifications by March 31, 2026, through USCIS online accounts for employers and representatives that have at least one registration selected.
Who Can File an H-1B Cap Petition?
USCIS notes that an employer may file an H-1B cap-subject petition (including a petition under the advanced degree exemption) only if the beneficiary’s registration is selected in the registration process.
New for the FY 2027 Cap Season
USCIS also references regulatory updates describing how registrations may be selected, including a process that may prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid beneficiaries, and a weighted selection process if registrations exceed the cap.
In addition, the USCIS notice references a Presidential Proclamation regarding restrictions on entry of certain nonimmigrant workers and notes that some petitioners may need to pay an additional $100,000 fee before filing the H-1B petition as a condition of eligibility (depending on how the Proclamation applies).
How NPZ Law Group Can Help
Given the short registration window and the fast-moving nature of H-1B season, our office can assist with:
- Confirming whether a case is cap-subject or cap-exempt
- Registration strategy and preparation
- Assessing eligibility and documentation needs early
- Preparing the full H-1B petition promptly if selected
- Reviewing timing, compliance, and alternative visa options when appropriate
If you would like NPZ Law Group to assist with your FY 2027 H-1B registration, please contact our office as soon as possible so we can begin gathering the required information in advance of the March 4 opening date.
Contact Information
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.
USCIS link: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/fy-2027-h-1b-cap-initial-registration-period-opens-on-march-4