US opens FY 2027 H-1B visa registration: Key dates, fees and new ‘weighted selection’ system explained

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has opened FY 2027 H-1B Visa registrations from March 4 to March 19, introducing a new weighted selection system to prioritise higher-skilled and higher-paid workers seeking jobs in the United States.

• FY 2027 H-1B visa registration open March 4-19, 2026
• New weighted selection favors higher-skilled, higher-paid workers
• Registration is fully digital; fee is USD 215 per application

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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially opened the registration window for the FY 2027 H‑1B Visa programme, marking the start of another competitive cycle for foreign professionals seeking employment in the United States.

The visa allows US employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers in speciality occupations that require specialised knowledge or expertise. While the H-1B is a temporary non-immigrant visa, it also offers “dual intent”, meaning holders can pursue permanent residency (a green card) while working in the country.

For the FY 2027 cycle, USCIS has introduced some key procedural updates, including a new weighted selection process aimed at prioritising higher-skilled and higher-paid workers.

Here’s a detailed look at the important updates, timelines and requirements for applicants and employers.

H-1B visa registration window for FY 2027

The initial registration window for the FY 2027 H-1B visa opened at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on March 4, 2026, and will close at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on March 19, 2026.

During this period, US employers — or their authorised legal representatives — must electronically register prospective H-1B beneficiaries through the official USCIS online portal.

Since the registration period is strictly time-limited, late submissions will not be accepted, making early preparation essential for companies and applicants.

Electronic registration now mandatory

The H-1B registration process is now fully digital at the initial stage. Employers must submit candidate details using their USCIS online accounts before the entries are placed into the selection pool.

Paper-based submissions are no longer accepted for registrations. According to USCIS, the digital system helps streamline the process, reduce paperwork, improve transparency and simplify tracking of applications.

Employers that do not yet have an online account must create an organisation account before submitting registrations.

H-1B visa registration fee

The registration fee for the FY 2027 H-1B cap remains USD 215 (approximately Rs 19,700) per application.

This fee must be paid by employers through the USCIS online system while submitting the beneficiary’s registration. Incorrect payments or incomplete submissions can lead to rejection of the entry.

When will the H-1B selection results be announced?

Once the registration window closes on March 19, USCIS will begin the selection process.

Selected registrants are expected to be notified by March 31, 2026, through their official USCIS online accounts.

The earliest date that selected applicants can file their cap-subject H-1B petitions is April 1, 2026.

Annual H-1B visa cap

Each year, the US government issues 85,000 H-1B visas under the annual cap.

65,000 visas are reserved for speciality occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field.

20,000 visas are set aside for candidates who hold a master’s degree or higher from a US university.

Since demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the available slots, USCIS traditionally uses a lottery-based system to allocate them.

New ‘weighted selection system’ introduced

For the first time, the FY 2027 H-1B cap season will implement a weighted selection system.

Under this model, registrations may be prioritised based on skill level and salary, giving preference to higher-skilled and higher-paid workers.

According to USCIS, if the number of unique registrations received during the initial registration period exceeds the cap, a weighted selection process will be conducted from the pool of properly submitted registrations.

If the number of registrations does not exceed the cap, all eligible submissions may be selected.

How to register for the H-1B visa

To submit an H-1B registration, employers must first create a USCIS online organisational account.

This type of account allows companies, attorneys and legal representatives to collaborate while preparing H-1B registrations, petitions and related documents such as Form I-907 for premium processing.

USCIS offers three types of accounts:

1. Applicant/Petitioner account – used by individuals filing applications for themselves.

2. Attorney/Legal representative account – for legal professionals submitting applications on behalf of employers.

3. Organisation/Company account – required for employers participating in the H-1B registration process.

Common mistakes applicants should avoid

USCIS has highlighted two common errors during the electronic registration process:

1. Creating the wrong type of account: Employers must ensure they create an organisation account to participate in the H-1B cap selection process.

2. Submitting duplicate registrations: A prospective employer can submit only one registration per beneficiary per fiscal year. If multiple entries are submitted for the same candidate by the same employer, all registrations for that candidate will be removed from the selection process.

USCIS provides a duplicate-checker tool in the registration system to help employers avoid such errors.

Key dates for FY 2027 H-1B visa process

March 4, 2026: H-1B registration period opens (12 PM ET)

March 19, 2026: Registration window closes (12 PM ET)

March 31, 2026: Expected date for selection results

April 1, 2026: Earliest date to file H-1B petitions for selected applicants

With thousands of foreign professionals applying every year, the H-1B visa remains one of the most sought-after pathways for skilled workers looking to build careers in the United States. The new weighted selection system could significantly reshape how candidates are prioritised in the coming years.