USCIS Completes FY 2027 H-1B Cap Selection: Filing Opens April 1, 2026

USCIS has announced the completion of its initial selection process for the FY 2027 H-1B cap, covering both the general cap and the advanced degree exemption (master's cap). Employers and their legal representatives have been notified of selection results through their myUSCIS online accounts. Filing for H-1B cap-subject petitions is set to begin no earlier than April 1, 2026. This marks the standard start of the H-1B petition filing window following the registration lottery process. USCIS has not yet indicated whether additional selection rounds will take place. As in previous fiscal years, the need for further rounds will depend on the total volume of petitions filed during the initial window. This cap season operates under USCIS's revised H-1B registration selection process, which introduced changes to how beneficiaries are registered and selected. Employers and attorneys should review prior USCIS guidance for full details on the updated procedures. For EB-3 applicants monitoring overall immigration processing trends, the H-1B cap completion signals active movement in employment-based immigration administration heading into Q2 2026.