USCIS will open the FY 2027 H-1B electronic registration period at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on March 4, 2026. The initial registration window will close at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on March 19, 2026. Registration—including employer review, electronic signature, and fee payment—must be fully completed before the deadline. USCIS will conduct the selection process after the registration period closes and no later than March 31, 2026. Selected registrants will have a 90-day filing window beginning April 1, 2026, to file the H-1B cap-subject petition. Technical issues should be reported through the myUSCIS “Need Help” function or the USCIS Contact Center. USCIS has indicated it will provide public guidance if widespread technical disruptions occur during the registration period.
Online Registration Platform and Account Structure
All registrations must be submitted through the myUSCIS online portal. USCIS continues to use its “organizational account” structure, which requires coordination between employer accounts and representative accounts. Attorneys maintain a single representative account and may manage multiple employer clients through that account. Employers must create an organizational account and designate an administrator. Once a company group is created, it cannot be deleted. Only one email address may be used per account, and separate email addresses are required for different account types.
Information Required at the Registration Stage
The FY 2027 registration now requires more detailed position information than in previous years.
Employer Information:
- Legal name and any d/b/a names
- EIN
- Primary U.S. office address
- Authorized signatory’s name, title, phone number, and email
Beneficiary Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Gender/sex (per current USCIS terminology)
- Country of birth and citizenship
- Passport or travel document number and expiration date
- Whether the beneficiary qualifies for the U.S. advanced degree exemption
Position Information (New for FY 2027):
- SOC code
- Worksite location(s)
- Offered salary
- Corresponding OEWS wage level (I–IV)
- Documentation supporting the selected wage level
Employers should retain documentation supporting the wage level determination, such as OFLC wage data printouts and internal wage analyses, as this may be required at petition filing. The passport used during registration must match the passport listed in the H-1B petition, subject to limited exceptions such as renewal or replacement.
Duplicate Registrations and Compliance Risks
Each employer may submit only one registration per beneficiary per fiscal year. If USCIS determines that duplicate registrations were submitted by the same employer (or its representative), all registrations for that beneficiary by that employer will be invalidated. USCIS provides a duplicate checker tool within the registration system, but the ultimate responsibility remains with the employer and representative to ensure no duplicates are filed. If a duplicate is discovered before the registration period closes, it may be deleted. However, the $215 registration fee will not be refunded. If discovered after the registration window closes, there is no opportunity to correct it.
In addition, the registration attestation includes certifications that:
- The employer intends to file a bona fide H-1B petition if selected.
- The employer has not coordinated with another registrant to unfairly increase selection chances.
- The offered salary meets or exceeds the wage level listed in the registration.
False attestations may result in petition denial, revocation, referral for investigation, and potential monetary or criminal penalties.
Registration Fee and Payment Rules
The registration fee is $215 per beneficiary. Payment is made through Pay.gov and may be submitted via bank account, credit card, or debit card. Only the employer or the authorized Form G-28 representative may submit payment. The fee is considered a business expense of the employer and may not be shifted to the beneficiary. Batch payments of up to 250 registrations are permitted. Corporate and payment information does not automatically carry over to subsequent batches. Failed payments will result in “Invalidated – Failed Payment” status.
Selection Notifications and Status Indicators
After the selection process, employers will receive notice through their myUSCIS account. Each beneficiary registration will reflect one of the following statuses:
Selected – Eligible to file a cap-subject petition.
Submitted – Remains in the pool for potential later rounds of selection.
Not Selected – Not chosen after USCIS has determined that sufficient petitions have been filed.
Denied – Duplicate registration or other invalidation.
Invalidated – Failed Payment – Payment method declined or invalid.
If a beneficiary has multiple employer registrations and is selected, each employer will receive a selection notice. USCIS will not disclose that multiple employers registered the same beneficiary.
Advanced Degree Cap Considerations
A beneficiary does not need to have completed the qualifying degree at the time of registration. However, the degree must be completed by the time the H-1B petition is filed. If a beneficiary is selected under the advanced degree exemption but does not ultimately obtain the qualifying degree before petition filing, the petition will be denied or rejected.
F-1 Cap-Gap Issues
Cap-gap protection is triggered only upon timely filing of the H-1B petition, not upon registration. F-1 beneficiaries whose OPT expires before petition filing will not receive cap-gap benefits based solely on registration selection.
Non-Filing of Selected Registrations
If a selected registration does not result in a petition filing, USCIS has indicated that patterns of non-filing may be reviewed for potential abuse. Employers should maintain documentation explaining legitimate business reasons for not proceeding with a petition.
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