H-1B Cap Registration Deadline
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FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Deadline March 19

Maggio Kattar

USCIS has announced the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period, the first step for employers seeking to sponsor foreign national professionals for H-1B status beginning October 1, 2026.

The H-1B Cap Registration Deadline is March 19, 2026

Key Dates

  • Registration Opens: March 4, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
  • Registration Closes: March 19, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
  • Selection Notifications: Expected by March 31, 2026

Employers (or their attorneys) must submit an electronic registration for each prospective H-1B beneficiary through a USCIS online account during this window.

Registration Fee

USCIS requires a $215 registration fee per beneficiary, payable at the time of registration.

What’s New This Year

The FY 2027 cap season will be the first to use a weighted selection system rather than a purely random lottery. Under the new rule, registrations tied to higher prevailing wage levels receive more “tickets” in the selection process, increasing their chances of being selected.

For a detailed overview of how the new selection process works and what it may mean for employers, see our prior article:
H‑1B Cap Changes: What Would Change & What It Means for Employers

What Employers Should Do Now

Employers planning to sponsor H-1B workers should begin preparing now by:

  • Identifying potential H-1B candidates
  • Confirming USCIS organizational account access
  • Coordinating with immigration counsel before the March 19 H-1B Cap registration deadline

Early preparation is important given the short registration window and new selection process for FY 2027.