The H-1B program allows American employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. For fiscal year 2027, only employers whose records are selected may file H-1B petitions subject to the cap, including those under the advanced degree exemption.
Also read: The $100,000 question. Who pays H-1B fees: you or your employer?
Registration process and schedules
USCIS said all registrations must be done through a USCIS online account. Employers who do not already have an account will need to create an organizational account. Legal representatives can add company clients at any time, but beneficiary and payment details can only be submitted once the registration period opens on March 4.
Once the registration window closes, USCIS will conduct the selection process. Notifications will be sent through online accounts to employers and representatives with at least one registration selected. Only selected records will be eligible to proceed to the petition submission stage.
Also read: No hope for U.S. visa situation to improve, immigration experts say as H-1B spots disappear
Rule changes and additional fee
For the fiscal year 2027 cap season, the Department of Homeland Security has modified the rules governing how sole beneficiary enrollments are selected. If records exceed the annual limit, USCIS will make a weighted selection among correctly submitted records. If entries do not exceed the limit, all eligible entries will be selected.
USCIS also referred to a presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, titled “Restriction on the Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” The agency said the proclamation does not directly affect the electronic registration process. However, employers with selected registrations may be required to pay an additional $100,000 fee before filing an H-1B petition, depending on eligibility conditions.
USCIS said more details about the electronic registration process will be shared before the registration window opens.
