USCIS has announced the registration window for the FY 2027 H-1B cap. Two significant policy changes — a wage-weighted selection system and a new $100,000 petition fee — are reshaping this year’s cap season for employers and foreign nationals alike.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on January 30, 2026, that the initial electronic registration period for the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern Time on March 4, 2026, and close at noon Eastern Time on March 19, 2026. This two-and-a-half-week window is the only opportunity for prospective employers to register beneficiaries for the annual H-1B selection process, which determines who may proceed to file a cap-subject petition.
For foreign nationals currently on work authorization, visa holders exploring sponsorship options, and foreign investors with U.S. employment interests, understanding the FY 2027 registration requirements — and the two major rule changes that now govern this process — is essential. This update is prepared in accordance with guidance published by USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and the White House.
Key Dates for FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration
• Registration Opens: Noon Eastern Time, March 4, 2026
• Registration Closes: Noon Eastern Time, March 19, 2026
• Selection Notifications: USCIS intends to notify selected petitioners and representatives via their USCIS online accounts by March 31, 2026.
• Registration Fee: $215 per beneficiary, payable at the time of registration.
Only petitioners and authorized representatives who have submitted a properly completed registration — and whose registration has been selected — may file an H-1B cap-subject petition for that beneficiary, including petitions qualifying under the advanced degree exemption (also known as the master’s cap).
Preparing Your USCIS Online Account
Employers who do not yet have a USCIS organizational account must create one before the registration period opens. Authorized representatives may add employer clients to their accounts at any time prior to March 4; however, no beneficiary information may be entered and no registration may be submitted until the registration window officially opens.
Given the compressed timeline of the registration period, Ahluwalia Law Offices strongly recommends that all prospective petitioning employers confirm their account setup well in advance of March 4, 2026.
The New Wage-Weighted Selection System
The most consequential change to the FY 2027 H-1B cap process is the introduction of a wage-weighted selection system, replacing the previous random lottery. On December 23, 2025, DHS announced a final rule — formally published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2025, and effective February 27, 2026 — that restructures how USCIS selects registrations when demand exceeds the annual cap.
How the Weighted System Works
Under the new framework, each unique beneficiary is entered into the selection pool a number of times based on the Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) four-tier prevailing wage level corresponding to the position’s offered salary, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, and area of intended employment. The structure operates as follows:
• Wage Level IV (Highest): Four entries into the selection pool.
• Wage Level III: Three entries into the selection pool.
• Wage Level II: Two entries into the selection pool.
• Wage Level I (Entry Level): One entry into the selection pool.
It is important to note that registrations at all wage levels remain eligible for selection. The weighted system does not exclude entry-level positions; it allocates greater probability of selection to positions with higher offered wages. DHS has stated that the purpose of this rule is to incentivize employers to offer wages commensurate with higher skill levels, and to better protect the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities of American workers.
What Employers Must Provide at Registration
The weighted selection process requires that employers supply additional information during the electronic registration stage compared to prior years. Each registration must include the applicable OEWS wage level, the relevant SOC code, and the area of intended employment. When a registration is selected and the employer proceeds to file a petition, USCIS will verify that the wage level indicated at registration was accurate and supported by the offered compensation. Inconsistencies between the registration and the filed petition may result in a denial or referral for further review.
The $100,000 Presidential Proclamation Fee
On September 19, 2025, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” The White House confirmed that this Proclamation, effective September 21, 2025, requires a one-time $100,000 payment to accompany new H-1B petitions as a condition of eligibility for certain beneficiaries.
Who Is Affected
As clarified by USCIS guidance, the $100,000 fee applies to new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025, for beneficiaries who are outside the United States or who are determined to be ineligible for in-country change of status. It is a one-time fee per petition — not an annual charge — and does not apply retroactively to previously filed or approved petitions.
Who Is Not Affected
The Proclamation does not apply to individuals who hold currently approved H-1B petitions, possess validly issued H-1B visas, or filed their petitions prior to the effective date. It also does not affect H-1B renewals or extensions with the same employer for individuals already in H-1B status within the United States. A national interest exception is available in extraordinarily rare circumstances, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Relevance to the FY 2027 Cap Season
While the $100,000 fee does not directly alter the electronic registration process itself, it represents a significant financial consideration for employers whose selected beneficiaries may need to file petitions under the terms of the Proclamation. USCIS has directed employers to refer to the Presidential Proclamation section on its H-1B Specialty Occupations page for further details.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals and Visa Holders
For foreign nationals currently working in the United States under H-1B or other work authorization, the FY 2027 cap season introduces both opportunity and complexity. The wage-weighted selection system means that the salary offered for a prospective H-1B position will now directly influence the likelihood of selection. Foreign nationals and their prospective employers should work closely with qualified immigration counsel to ensure that job classifications, offered wages, and SOC codes are accurately determined before registration.
For foreign investors and individuals exploring pathways to U.S. employment, understanding these changes is equally critical. The interplay between the weighted selection system, the $100,000 Proclamation fee, and the standard cap limitations requires a strategic and well-informed approach to sponsorship planning.
FY 2027 H-1B Cap Season: A Timeline Summary
• Now – March 3, 2026: Employers and representatives should confirm USCIS organizational accounts are active, identify prospective beneficiaries, and determine applicable wage levels and SOC codes.
• March 4 – March 19, 2026: Initial H-1B cap registration period. All registrations and the $215 per-beneficiary fee must be submitted during this window.
• By March 31, 2026: USCIS intends to send selection notifications via USCIS online accounts.
• Following Selection: Selected petitioners have 90 days from the date of selection to file a complete H-1B cap-subject petition with USCIS. Petitions must reflect an employment start date no earlier than October 1, 2026.
How Ahluwalia Law Offices Can Help
With over two decades of experience advising foreign nationals, visa holders, and foreign investors on U.S. immigration matters, Ahluwalia Law Offices is positioned to guide you through every stage of the FY 2027 H-1B cap process. From account setup and beneficiary identification to wage-level analysis, registration submission, and petition preparation, our team ensures that your application reflects the requirements of the current regulatory landscape — including the new weighted selection system and the Presidential Proclamation fee.
We encourage all prospective petitioning employers and prospective H-1B beneficiaries to schedule a consultation well in advance of the March 4 registration opening. Early planning is critical in a process where deadlines are firm and the consequences of error are significant.
DISCLAIMER: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. The information presented here is based on guidance published by USCIS, DHS, DOL, and the White House as of the publication date and is subject to change. Individuals seeking guidance on their specific immigration circumstances should consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Please note: Due to the high volume of inquiries and the sensitive nature of immigration matters, we cannot respond to questions or requests for legal analysis via phone or email unless a formal consultation has been scheduled. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to book an appointment with one of our attorneys if you require personalized legal assistance.
Sources & References
USCIS – FY 2027 H-1B Cap Announcement: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/fy-2027-h-1b-cap-initial-registration-period-opens-on-march-4
USCIS – H-1B Electronic Registration Process: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations/h-1b-electronic-registration-process
USCIS – H-1B Specialty Occupations (Proclamation Details): https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations
DHS – Weighted Selection Final Rule (Federal Register): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b
DHS – Weighted Selection Press Release: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-changes-process-for-awarding-h-1b-work-visas-to-better-protect-american-workers
White House – Fact Sheet on H-1B Proclamation: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/09/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-suspends-the-entry-of-certain-alien-nonimmigrant-workers/USCIS – H-1B FAQ (Proclamation Guidance): https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/h-1b-faq
