FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Closes March 19 Under New Wage-Weighted Lottery
The FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period will close on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at noon ET. Employers and their immigration counsel will have until this time to draft, review, e-sign, and submit their registrations to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This year marks the debut of the new wage-weighted lottery system, which was finalized by DHS in a rule effective February 27, 2026. Under this system, registrations tied to higher prevailing wage levels will have stronger odds of selection than those associated with lower wage levels. The change is designed to prioritize higher-paid positions and reduce the use of the H-1B program for entry-level roles.
As the registration period comes to a close, USCIS is expected to receive a large volume of registrations. Technical issues are possible, so early submission is strongly recommended to minimize problems. The new $100,000 H-1B fee, which took effect this cap season, has also changed the calculus for many employers.
Once the registration period closes, USCIS will conduct the selection process and notify selected registrants. Selected registrants will then have the opportunity to file full H-1B petitions, with the petition filing period beginning April 1, 2026. Employers should work with their immigration teams to complete all registrations as soon as possible.