The H-1B FY 2027 registration period officially opens at noon Eastern on March 4, 2026, and closes at noon Eastern on March 19, 2026. This will be the first cap season fully governed by the new beneficiary-centered selection system and the controversial $100,000 additional fee imposed on certain employers under the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation.
Here’s everything U.S. employers and foreign professionals need to know to prepare for the upcoming H-1B FY 2027 registration window.
Official Registration Dates & Deadlines (FY 2027)
- Registration opens: March 4, 2026 – 12:00 p.m. Eastern
- Registration closes: March 19, 2026 – 12:00 p.m. Eastern
- Selection notifications: On or before March 31, 2026
- Petition filing period for selected beneficiaries: April 1 – June 30, 2026 (90-day window)
Source: USCIS Official Announcement – FY 2027 H-1B Electronic Registration Process
Biggest Change: Beneficiary-Centered Selection (No More Multiple Entries Abuse)
Starting with H-1B FY 2027 registration, USCIS has completely eliminated the old system that allowed unscrupulous consultancies to flood the lottery with duplicate registrations for the same person.
Now, each beneficiary gets one equal chance regardless of how many employers register them. The selection is weighted by unique passport number or beneficiary identity not by total number of registrations received.
This historic reform was finalized in the DHS final rule published January 2025.
New $100,000 Additional Fee for Certain Employers
Under Presidential Proclamation 10810 issued September 19, 2025 ( Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers ), employers who meet specific criteria will be required to pay an additional $100,000 surcharge per selected beneficiary before they can file the actual H-1B petition.
USCIS has confirmed this surcharge applies only to employers classified under the proclamation’s eligibility conditions (details to be clarified in February 2026 guidance).
Registration Fee Remains $215 (For Now)
The base H-1B registration fee for FY 2027 is still $215 per beneficiary unchanged from the past two years.
However, the new Asylum and Immigration Fee Rule scheduled to take effect April 1, 2026, will increase most USCIS filing fees. Fortunately, the H-1B registration fee itself is exempt from this increase for the FY 2027 season.
Current USCIS Fee Schedule
Step-by-Step Registration Process for FY 2027
- Create or log into your organizational USCIS online account
- Add beneficiaries and pay $215 for each during March 4–19, 2026
- Wait for selection notification by March 31, 2026
- If selected and subject to the proclamation → pay additional $100,000 surcharge
- File Form I-129 within the 90-day window (April 1 – June 30, 2026)
Who Must Pay the $100,000 Surcharge?
USCIS will release final eligibility criteria in February 2026, but early indications suggest the surcharge targets employers who:
- Had 50+ H-1B workers in the previous fiscal year, and
- More than 50% of their U.S. workforce is on H-1B or L-1 visas
Exact parameters will be published on the official H-1B Electronic Registration Process page when released.
Final Takeaway
The H-1B FY 2027 registration period will be the most equitable lottery in history thanks to the beneficiary-centered selection rule — but also the most expensive for large outsourcing firms and staffing companies hit by the new $100,000 surcharge.
Employers should finalize their candidate list and create USCIS organizational accounts immediately. The window is only 15 days long, and technical glitches on the last day are common.
Bookmark the official USCIS H-1B FY 2027 cap season page for real-time updates.
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