U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the initial registration period for the FY 2027 H-1B cap will open at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on March 4, 2026, and close at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on March 19, 2026 During this window, prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners and their legal representatives must electronically register each beneficiary through a USCIS online account and submit the associated $215 registration fee per beneficiary. USCIS has indicated that it intends to issue selection notifications by March 31, 2026, through users’ online accounts. Only petitioners whose registrations are selected may file an H-1B cap-subject petition for that beneficiary.

Overview of the Registration Process

The electronic registration system remains the mandatory first step in the H-1B cap process. Employers must submit basic information about the company and the beneficiary, and for the first time, information about the job offer (SOC code, area of intended employment, and prevailing wage level), and pay the required registration fee within the designated window. Registrations submitted outside the March 4–19 period will not be accepted.

After the registration period closes, USCIS will conduct the selection process. Employers with selected beneficiaries will be notified through their USCIS online accounts and may then proceed with filing full H-1B petitions within the designated filing period between April 1 and June 30.

Implementation of the Wage-Level Based Selection System

For the FY 2027 cap season, USCIS intends to implement the new wage-level based weighted selection system, which replaces the traditional random lottery. Instead of each registration having an equal chance of selection, registrations are weighted based on the prevailing wage level tied to the offered position. Higher wage levels receive more weight in the selection process.

As discussed in our detailed analysis, this shift makes early wage and position planning critical. Employers must carefully evaluate the appropriate SOC code, confirm the correct OES wage level, and finalize worksite locations before registration. Because wage level determinations directly affect competitiveness, and because the lowest applicable wage level across listed worksites may control, strategic classification and salary analysis must be completed in advance of the March registration window.

Anticipated USCIS Portal Updates

In prior cap seasons, USCIS has hosted “Tech Talks” or informational webinars in mid- to late February to provide operational guidance on the electronic registration portal. Given the continued evolution of the system and the additional data points required, particularly regarding wage levels and intended employment locations, we anticipate that USCIS may provide similar outreach this year.

These sessions typically clarify portal functionality, required fields, and common submission errors. Employers should monitor USCIS announcements in the coming weeks for any updates that may assist with timely and accurate registration.

Organizational Accounts

Employers planning to register beneficiaries this year should confirm that they have an established USCIS organizational account. If an organizational account has not yet been created, this process can and should begin immediately in coordination with legal counsel. Although beneficiary information cannot be entered until March 4, account setup and representative linking may be completed in advance.

Our office is closely monitoring USCIS updates and will continue to provide guidance as additional information becomes available. Employers anticipating participation in the FY 2027 H-1B cap season are encouraged to begin preparations as early as possible to ensure accurate analysis and timely submission once the portal opens.

By: Rebecca Chen

Rebecca Chen is a Partner at Reddy & Neumann. Her representation includes advising clients throughout the non-immigrant and immigrant visa application process, from initial filing, responding to various requests for evidence, and processing at overseas consulates. Her years of experience in the immigration field have made her a knowledgeable resource for complex business immigration matters.