US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the start of the early registration period for the H-1B visa cap for fiscal year 2027. The registration window will open on March 4 at noon Eastern and close on March 19, 2026 at noon Eastern.
The H-1B visa registration period for FY 2027 begins on March 4, 2026, with a deadline of March 19. Employers must register online and pay a $215 fee. (unflash)Employers must register beneficiaries online and submit a $215 fee for each entry. Election notification is expected by March 31, 2026.
The H-1B program allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations. For FY 2027, only employers that have elected to register will be able to submit cap-subject H-1B petitions that qualify under the advanced degree exemption.
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H-1B Visa Registration: Learn about the process and deadlinesAccording to USCIS, all registrations must be submitted through a USCIS online account. Employers who do not currently have an account must establish an organizational account. Legal representatives have the power to add clients to the company at any time; However, beneficiary information and payment can be submitted only when the registration period begins on March 4.
Once the registration window closes, USCIS will begin the selection process. Notifications will be sent through online accounts to employers and representatives who have at least one selected registration. Only those registrations that are selected will qualify to proceed to the petition filing stage.
Registration Opening Date: March 4, 2026.
Application deadline: March 19, 2026.
Announcement of shortlist: March 31, 2026.
Post-selection procedure: Only employers of selected candidates can proceed to petition filing stage.
H-1B visa: New $100,000 fee for certain high-skilled positionsThe Department of Homeland Security has revised the current regulations for the FY 2027 cap season According to the updated guidance, if the total number of registrations exceeds the annual limit, USCIS will implement an individually weighted selection process. Conversely, if total registrations are within the annual cap, all submissions will be evaluated.
Additionally, pursuant to USCIS’s Restrictions on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers issued on September 19, 2025, an additional fee of $100,000 will be imposed on employers with selected registrations prior to application submission. More information regarding the updated rules on the H-1B visa application period will be provided prior to the official registration of US citizens.
