USCIS reaches FY2027 H-1B visa cap, opens filing window for selected applicants
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it has received enough electronic registrations to meet the fiscal year 2027 H-1B visa cap, including the advanced degree exemption, and will begin accepting petitions for selected applicants starting April 1.
The agency said it has “selected enough beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations to reach the H-1B cap” and has notified petitioners whose registrations were chosen. Only applicants with selected registrations are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY2027.
Registrants can check their selection status through their online USCIS accounts.
USCIS said petitions for selected beneficiaries may be filed beginning April 1, 2026, with a filing window of at least 90 days. Each petition must include a copy of the selection notice and be submitted either at the correct filing location or through the agency’s online system.
The agency also outlined new compliance requirements tied to documentation. Petitioners must ensure that details in the petition match the information submitted during registration, including identifying information and job specifics. Required documentation includes proof of the beneficiary’s valid passport or travel document used during registration, as well as evidence supporting the wage level listed.
USCIS said it will only accept the new edition of Form I-129, dated Feb. 27, 2026, for all FY2027 H-1B filings submitted on or after April 1.
In addition, certain petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, 2025, must include an additional $100,000 payment as part of eligibility requirements, in line with a presidential proclamation, the agency said.
USCIS emphasized that selection in the registration process does not guarantee approval. Petitioners must still demonstrate eligibility and submit all required supporting evidence in accordance with Form I-129 instructions.
For FY2027, the agency has implemented a new weighted selection system that prioritizes higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants based on Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics wage levels.
Congress has set the annual H-1B cap at 65,000 visas, with up to 6,800 reserved for the H-1B1 program under trade agreements with Chile and Singapore. An additional 20,000 visas are available for applicants holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
Certain categories remain exempt from the cap, including petitions filed by U.S. higher education institutions and workers in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, provided filings are submitted before Dec. 31, 2029.
The H-1B visa program is widely used by U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations, particularly in technology, engineering, and research. Indian nationals account for a significant share of H-1B recipients each year. (Source: IANS)
