UPDATED 1/30/2026
USCIS officially announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap will open at 12 p.m. (EST) on March 4, 2026, and run through 12 p.m. (EST) on March 19, 2026. During this period, prospective H-1B cap-subject employers must use a USCIS online account to register each employee-beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the $215 H-1B registration fee for each registration.
If you are an H-1B petitioning employer who does not have a USCIS online account, you must create an organizational account. Employers may add company clients to their accounts at any time but must wait until March 4th to enter employee-beneficiary information and submit registrations and to pay the registration fee. Selections take place after the initial registration period closes. USCIS will send selection notifications by March 31, 2026, via USCIS online accounts to prospective petitioners who have at least one registration selected.
PUBLISHED 12/30/25
The Department of Homeland Security has announced significant changes to the H-1B cap registration and selection process, effective February 27, 2026, in time for the FY 2027 H-1B lottery. These updates will affect how registrations are submitted and how cases are selected.
A Few Key Takeaways:
- Weighted H-1B Selection:
The H-1B cap “lottery” will be replaced by a weighted selection process based on the wage level listed at the time of registration. Registrations associated with higher wage levels will receive increased chances of selection. - Expanded Registration Requirements:
In addition to the information already required during the H-1B registration process, employers must also provide the job classification, wage level, and work location(s) at the registration stage. - Enforcement:
Information submitted during registration must align with the subsequently filed H-1B petition. USCIS has indicated it will closely scrutinize filings and may deny new petitions or amendments if it determines that changes were made to the H-1B position to unfairly increase the odds of selection during registration. - Multiple Locations and/or Employers:
Where multiple work locations or multiple employers are involved, the lowest applicable wage level will generally control for lottery purposes.
The immigration attorneys at Ryan Swanson will continue to monitor guidance and implementation of the new H-1B policies and provide updates as additional details become available. Please contact our immigration team with any questions about how these changes may affect your H-1B lottery process and strategy.
