U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the initial registration period for cap-subject H-1B visas for fiscal year 2027 will open at noon (Eastern Time) on March 4, 2026, and remain open until noon on March 19, 2026.

During this period, employers seeking to participate must electronically register each beneficiary through an online account and pay the applicable registration fee. Selection notifications will be sent by March 31, 2026, through the official accounts of petitioners and their representatives.

As a key update this season, the Department of Homeland Security has introduced a new weighted selection system that will prioritize candidates with higher professional qualifications and salary levels. This measure aims to protect wages, working conditions, and job opportunities for workers in the United States.

In addition, following the proclamation issued by Donald Trump in September 2025, some petitions selected in the process may be subject to the payment of a significant additional fee before formally filing the H-1B petition.

Source: Official USCIS announcement on the FY2027 H-1B registration process.

H-1B Electronic Registration Process | USCIS

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