USCIS Announced FY 2027 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process Completed
On March 31, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had received enough electronic registrations to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap, including the advanced degree exemption (also known as the master’s cap).
USCIS announced that it notified all prospective petitioners with selected beneficiaries that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap petition for the selected beneficiaries. To verify if a beneficiary has been selected, please visit the registrant’s online account as their account will display the registration status.
All H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2027, including petitions that are eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may be filled starting April 1, 2026, and through at least June 30, 2026, if filed for a selected beneficiary and based on a valid registration. It is important to note that only petitioners with registrations for selected beneficiaries may file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2027.
USCIS also reminded H-1B petitioners that starting on April 1, 2026, USCIS will only accept the latest 02/27/2026 edition of the Form I-129, which is now in use for all H-1B cap subject and non-cap petitions.
Moreover, the Presidential Proclamation, that went into effect in September 2025, requires certain H-1B petitions that are filed at or after 12:00 AM Eastern on September 21, 2025, to be accompanied by an additional $100,000.00 payment as a condition of eligibility. We encourage readers to be mindful of this as they begin compiling required documentation and information for upcoming petitions.
To view the official announcement from USCIS, please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/fy-2027-h-1b-initial-registration-selection-process-completed
USCIS will continue to accept and administer petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. USCIS will continue to process petitions filed to:
- Extend the amount of time that a worker currently under H-1B status may remain in the United States,
- Change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers,
- Allow current H-1B workers to change employers, and
- Allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in additional H-1B positions.
For individuals with H-1B registrations that were not selected, we do advise employers to contact the immigration department at Pasricha & Patel, LLC so that we can discuss your specific situation, and consider alternate U.S. visa pathways for non-selected candidates. Should you have any further questions about the H-1B worker program or any matter related to immigration law, we recommend contacting our office to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorneys.