The USCIS FY 2027 H‑1B cap registration opens March 4, 2026, at noon ET and closes March 19, 2026, at noon ET, with a $215 fee per beneficiary. Notifications for selected registrations are expected by March 31, 2026. While many summaries cover these basics, several important details are often overlooked:

1. USCIS Online Account Nuances

• Employers must create an organizational account, not a personal account.
• Representatives can manage multiple clients, but registrations and fee submissions cannot occur before March 4.

2. Weighted Selection Process

• Registrations are weighted by wage level, giving higher-paid roles better odds.
• Only unique beneficiaries are counted; multiple registrations for the same person are treated as one.
• If registrations exceed the cap, a weighted lottery is applied; if fewer, all are selected.

3. Timeline After Registration

• Petition filing generally begins April 1 and continues at least through June 30.
• Selection for the regular cap does not guarantee selection for the advanced degree exemption.

4. Presidential Proclamation Impact

• A $100,000 fee may apply for certain foreign workers before filing.
• This does not affect registration itself. Consult immigration counsel to determine applicability.

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FY 2027 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 4 | USCIS

H-1B Electronic Registration Process | USCIS