U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations during the initial H-1B lottery registration period to reach the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap, including the advanced degree exemption cap, USCIS announced March 31.
USCIS has completed the selection process and notified employers whose registrations were selected. Selection in the lottery confers eligibility to file a cap‑subject petition but does not confer H-1B approval. As of April 1, employers were able to begin filing H-1B cap‑subject petitions for selected beneficiaries for FY 2027. A new edition of Form I‑129 dated February 27, 2026, must be used for all FY 2027 H‑1B cap filings submitted on or after April 1.
The filing window will last at least 90 days. Employers must ensure that the information in the H‑1B petition matches the registration — including the offered position, the wage level, and the beneficiary’s identifying information. The same passport or travel document used during registration must support the petition.
Members of the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC), our affiliated nonprofit membership association, can read more here.