U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the completion of the initial electronic registration selection process for the Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B cap. Notably, this marks the first time USCIS has utilized the new wage-weighted selection process, which replaced the traditional random lottery system. The agency has selected enough unique beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations to meet both the regular H-1B numerical allocation and the advanced degree exemption (master's cap). Prospective petitioners whose beneficiaries were selected have been notified and are now eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions. The filing window opened on April 1, 2026, and will remain open for at least 90 days. Employers must use the newly published edition of Form I-129 (edition date 02/27/26) and ensure that the petition is supported by the exact identifying and position information, including the wage level, that was submitted during the registration phase. Additionally, certain petitions filed later in the year may be subject to a new $100,000 fee requirement under a recent Presidential Proclamation.
USCIS Completes First Wage-Weighted FY 2027 H-1B Lottery Selection
USCIS has completed the FY 2027 H-1B cap selection using the new wage-weighted lottery system, and eligible employers can now begin filing full petitions for selected beneficiaries.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: The FY 2027 H-1B lottery selection is complete, and the petition filing window is now open for at least 90 days.
- Who Should Be Concerned: U.S. employers who submitted H-1B registrations and the foreign national beneficiaries they intend to sponsor.
- Timeline for Action: Petitions must be filed within the 90-day window starting April 1, 2026, using the correct new form edition.
- Next Steps: Employers should check their USCIS online accounts for selection notices and work with immigration counsel to promptly prepare and file accurate H-1B petitions matching their registration details.
Source: Uscis.gov