United States | FY 2027 H-1B initial registration selection complete, filing window open

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has reached the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap and notified registrants of selection results. Employers with valid selected registrations may begin filing H-1B cap-subject petitions on April 1, 2026.

Key takeaways:

Initial selection process completed. USCIS received sufficient electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the FY 2027 H-1B cap numerical allocations, including the advanced degree exemption, and has completed the selection process.

Selection results available in online accounts. Registrants’ myUSCIS online accounts now display registration statuses.

Filing window opens April 1, 2026. FY 2027 H-1B cap-subject petitions, including petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may be filed beginning April 1, 2026. Only petitioners with valid registrations for selected beneficiaries may file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2027.

New edition of Form I-129. Beginning April 1, 2026, USCIS will accept only the 02/27/26 edition of Form I-129. All H-1B cap subject petitions for FY 2027 must use this edition of the form.

Additional $100K payment. On Oct. 20, 2025, USCIS provided updated guidance on the H-1B proclamation mandating that “certain H-1B petitions filed at or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on Sept. 21, 2025, must be accompanied by an additional $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility.” BAL clients are encouraged to consult with their BAL attorney for case-specific guidance. BAL will continue to monitor ongoing litigation and developments regarding the H-1B proclamation and provide updates.

Additional information: Filings must comply with USCIS form and filing requirements outlined in the selection notice and related guidance. USCIS has provided an updated FAQ on the electronic registration process here and tips for filing forms online can be found here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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