USCIS Completes FY 2027 H-1B Cap Lottery: Cap Reached, Selected Employers Can File Petitions Starting Today
- VISASUPDATE
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on March 31, 2026, that the annual H-1B cap of 85,000 visas for Fiscal Year 2027 has been met through the initial electronic registration process. The agency has completed both the regular cap (65,000) and advanced-degree exemption (master’s cap, 20,000) lotteries and notified all selected employers via their USCIS online accounts.
The precise total number of registrations submitted remains undisclosed, but USCIS confirmed it received enough unique beneficiary registrations to fill the cap and conducted selections accordingly. Employers and their representatives should now log into their organizational USCIS accounts to view the status of each registration. Only those marked as “Selected” may proceed to file H-1B cap-subject petitions.
Key Timeline for FY 2027 H-1B Cap Season
Registration Period: March 4, 2026 (noon ET) to March 19, 2026 (5:00 p.m. ET) — already closed.
Selection Notifications: Completed by March 31, 2026.
Petition Filing Window: April 1 to June 30, 2026 (at least 90 days, as indicated on selection notices).
Employment Start Date: No earlier than October 1, 2026 (FY 2027 begins).
H-1B cap-subject petitions may be filed online at my.uscis.gov or by mail at the correct filing location, but only for selected beneficiaries with a valid registration. Petitions must be properly filed within the window specified on the selection notice and include a copy of that notice.
Major Change for FY 2027: Weighted Selection Process
This is the first year USCIS implemented a weighted selection process (final rule effective February 27, 2026). Instead of purely random selection, registrations for unique beneficiaries are weighted based on the highest Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage level that the offered wage meets or exceeds for the relevant Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code and work location:
Wage Level IV → entered 4 times
Wage Level III → entered 3 times
Wage Level II → entered 2 times
Wage Level I → entered 1 time
The goal is to prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid workers while still allowing opportunities at all wage levels. Each unique beneficiary counts only once toward the cap, regardless of multiple entries. Registrants were required to provide this wage-level data during the March registration.
What Selected Employers Must Do Now
Check Account Status Immediately — Log into your USCIS organizational account. Only “Selected” registrations qualify for filing.
Use the Correct Form — Beginning today (April 1, 2026), USCIS accepts only the 02/27/26 edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. All FY 2027 H-1B cap petitions must use this version.
Ensure Matching Information — The petition must contain exactly the same identifying details (beneficiary name, passport/travel document info, SOC code, proffered wage, and wage-level basis) as the selected registration.
Submit Required Evidence:
Copy of the H-1B Registration Selection Notice
Proof of the beneficiary’s valid passport or travel document used during registration
Proof supporting the wage level claimed on the registration
Pay All Applicable Fees — The $215 registration fee was already paid. Standard I-129 fees apply, plus any premium processing (Form I-907). Certain petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025, also require an additional $100,000 payment under a Presidential Proclamation on nonimmigrant worker restrictions.
Important: Registration selection only grants the right to file a petition — it does not guarantee approval. Employers must still prove the beneficiary qualifies for H-1B status (specialty occupation, employer-employee relationship, etc.).
What If Not Enough Petitions Are Filed?
USCIS has stated that if the 85,000 cap is not reached by properly filed petitions from selected beneficiaries during the April 1–June 30 window, the agency may conduct one or more additional lotteries from the pool of registrations that remain in “Submitted” status. Unselected or non-selected registrations stay pending until the cap is fully met. No further notifications will be sent until additional selections occur.
Background on the H-1B Cap
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a specific field. The statutory cap of 85,000 has been in place for years and is routinely oversubscribed. The electronic registration system, introduced several years ago, streamlines the process and reduces fraud by limiting one registration per petitioner per beneficiary per fiscal year.
Duplicate registrations for the same beneficiary by the same petitioner are invalidated, and false attestations (e.g., colluding to inflate selection chances) can result in denial, revocation, or referral for investigation.
Practical Advice for Employers and Beneficiaries
Act Quickly but Carefully: The filing window opened today. Prepare petitions now to avoid last-minute issues with the new Form I-129 edition or evidence requirements.
Coordinate Internally: Attorneys and company staff should double-check for any registration discrepancies before filing.
Premium Processing Still Available: For faster adjudication (typically 15 calendar days), file Form I-907 — note recent fee increases.
Monitor USCIS Pages: Refer to the official H-1B Electronic Registration Process and H-1B Cap Season pages for the latest guidance.
The FY 2027 H-1B season marks a significant shift with the wage-weighted lottery, reflecting ongoing efforts to align the program with higher-skilled talent needs. Selected employers now have a clear — but time-sensitive — path forward. Those not selected this round may still have opportunities if additional lotteries are triggered.
For the most authoritative information, always consult USCIS.gov directly, as processes and requirements can be updated. Employers are encouraged to consult immigration counsel to ensure compliance with all filing rules.
For more details, head to the USA visa section
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