FY 2027 H-1B Cap Season Kicks Off on March 4, 2026: What Employers Need to Know

With the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period fast approaching, employers should begin preparing now to ensure timely and strategic participation in this year’s selection process. As employers evaluate potential H-1B candidates for this cap season, it is important to clarify that the recently implemented $100,000 H-1B fee does not apply to many traditional cap filings such as routine change of status petitions filed on behalf of individuals already maintaining lawful nonimmigrant status in the U.S. For example, an F-1 student currently working pursuant to OPT or STEM OPT who is selected in the FY 2027 cap may file an H-1B change of status petition effective October 1, 2026, without triggering the $100,000 fee.

In addition to fee considerations, USCIS has implemented significant changes to the H-1B cap selection process this year, replacing the traditional random lottery with a wage-weighted system. Under this new framework, higher wage positions are prioritized and allocated multiple entries in the selection pool based on their proffered wage level for the specific occupation and geographic area of employment:

• Level IV wages = 4 lottery entries
• Level III wages = 3 lottery entries
• Level II wages = 2 lottery entries
• Level I wages = 1 lottery entry

The H-1B cap registration period opens on March 4, 2026 and closes on March 19, 2026. During this window, U.S. employers (or their authorized representatives) must submit an electronic registration through a myUSCIS organizational account for each prospective beneficiary and pay the required $215 registration fee per individual.

Account holders will be notified by March 31, 2026 via their myUSCIS accounts if their registration was selected in the lottery. Employers should consult with immigration counsel now to confirm candidate eligibility, assess wage level strategy, and discuss related timelines.