The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the initial registration period for the 2027 H-1B cap, marking a significant update for employers and foreign skilled workers. The registration window will open at noon Eastern Time on March 4, 2026, and will run through March 19, 2026. During this critical period, prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners and their representatives must utilize a USCIS online account to electronically register each beneficiary for the selection process.
Key Registration Requirements and Fees
Each registration submitted during this period requires payment of the associated $215 H-1B registration fee. The agency emphasized that employers who do not currently possess a USCIS online account must create an organizational account to participate. Representatives have the flexibility to add company clients to their accounts at any time, but both representatives and employers must wait until March 4, 2026, to enter beneficiary information and submit registrations along with the $215 fee.
Selection Process and Notifications
Selections will be conducted after the initial registration period closes. USCIS intends to send selection notifications by March 31, 2026, via users’ USCIS online accounts. These notifications will be directed to prospective petitioners and representatives who have at least one registration selected. This streamlined electronic process aims to enhance efficiency and transparency in the H-1B lottery system.
Major Overhaul: $100,000 Fee and Wage-Based Selection
The announcement comes amidst a period of significant changes to the H-1B visa program, which has been dominating headlines. Notably, new H-1B petitions selected for the 2027 cap will be subject to a substantial $100,000 fee, as announced by President Donald Trump on September 10, 2025. While this proclamation does not directly impact the electronic registration process, USCIS reminded petitioners that if a registration is selected and they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition, they may need to pay this additional $100,000 fee before filing as a condition of eligibility.
New Selection Methodology
USCIS has introduced a revised selection process designed to prioritize the allocation of visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign workers. This change aims to better protect the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities of American workers. For the Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B cap season, if the number of registrations for unique beneficiaries exceeds the cap during the initial registration period, USCIS will conduct a weighted selection from the pool of unique beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations. Conversely, if insufficient registrations are received, all properly submitted registrations for unique beneficiaries will be selected.
Context and State-Level Developments
This update is part of broader administrative overhaul plans for the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. companies to hire skilled employees from foreign countries. Simultaneously, state-level actions are influencing the landscape, with Republican-led states such as Florida and Texas announcing bans on H-1B hiring for state jobs. These developments reflect ongoing debates and adjustments in U.S. immigration policy, impacting both employers and prospective H-1B beneficiaries.
The H-1B program remains a pivotal component of the U.S. immigration system, facilitating the entry of specialized talent. Employers and representatives are advised to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming registration period, ensuring compliance with the new fee structures and selection criteria to navigate the evolving regulatory environment successfully.
