The FY2027 H-1B cap registration window opens at noon Eastern Time on March 4, 2026, and closes at noon Eastern Time on March 19, 2026. This year brings significant changes that every prospective employer and foreign national professional must understand before the window opens. At Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC, we have prepared this comprehensive guide to ensure our clients are fully informed and positioned for success.
What Is New for FY2027?
This fiscal year introduces two landmark changes to the H-1B registration process. USCIS has implemented a weighted lottery selection system under a Final Rule effective February 27, 2026. The weighted system prioritizes higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign workers, with the stated objective of protecting wages and job opportunities for U.S. workers. For the first time, registrations must now include the Department of Labor Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, the offered salary, and the OEWS wage level for the position. Additionally, if selected, certain petitioners must navigate a $100,000 fee applicable to specific filings, and an adjudications pause affecting nationals of certain travel-restricted countries.
How Does the Weighted System Work?
Under the new weighted selection process, USCIS uses wage level data submitted during registration to prioritize entries. Employers must identify the OEWS Wage Level — I through IV — that corresponds to the offered salary for the specific SOC code and worksite location. Registrations reflecting higher wage levels will receive greater weight in the selection process. Employers must also retain supporting documentation, such as screenshots from the DOL OFLC Wage Search tool, showing how they arrived at the wage level used.
What Information Is Required at FY2027 H1-B Lottery Registration?
Unlike prior years, FY2027 registrations require considerably more detail. In addition to standard employer and beneficiary information, registrants must now provide the SOC code, the area of intended employment, the offered salary, and the OEWS wage level. The passport used at registration must be valid at the time of registration and must be the same passport used when filing the petition. Employers must also confirm whether the beneficiary qualifies for the U.S. advanced degree exemption — applicable to those who have earned, or will earn prior to petition filing, a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution of higher education.
What Are the Key Deadlines and Fees?
The registration window runs from March 4, 2026 at noon ET through March 19, 2026 at noon ET. The registration fee is $215 per beneficiary. Per USCIS regulation, this fee is the employer’s responsibility — it cannot be passed to the foreign worker. Payment is processed through Pay.gov and accepted by bank account, credit card, or debit card. Importantly, the registration must be fully completed — including employer review and payment — before the deadline, not merely initiated.
Can a Registration Be Edited After Submission?
No. Once submitted, a registration cannot be edited. During the open window, a specific beneficiary may be deleted from a batch without affecting other registrations, but the $215 fee is non-refundable. If duplicate registrations for the same beneficiary are discovered after the window closes, USCIS will remove all registrations for that individual from the lottery. No refund will be issued.
Is a Labor Condition Application Required Before Registration?
No. A certified LCA is not required at the registration stage. However, it must accompany the H-1B petition if the registration is selected. Employers and counsel should strategize on LCA timing, particularly where a beneficiary’s OPT expires shortly after the 90-day petition filing window opens, as an advance LCA may help preserve cap-gap benefits.
Quick Frequently Asked Questions
When does the FY2027 H-1B lottery registration open?
The electronic registration window opens at noon Eastern Time on March 4, 2026, and closes at noon Eastern Time on March 19, 2026, per USCIS.
What is the H-1B registration fee for FY2027?
The fee is $215 per beneficiary. This is the employer’s responsibility and is non-refundable. Payment is made through Pay.gov.
What is the weighted H-1B lottery and how does it affect selection chances?
The weighted lottery, effective February 27, 2026, assigns greater selection weight to registrations reflecting higher OEWS wage levels for the offered position and SOC code. Higher wage offerings carry a statistically greater probability of selection.
Can I edit my H-1B registration after submitting it?
No. Submitted registrations cannot be edited. A beneficiary may be deleted before the window closes, but the $215 fee will not be refunded.
Do I need an LCA before registering?
No. An LCA is not required at registration but must be certified and included when filing the H-1B petition.
What happens if I accidentally submit duplicate registrations for the same employee?
If discovered before the window closes, you may delete the duplicate. If discovered after, USCIS removes all registrations for that beneficiary from the selection pool and no refund is issued.
