USCIS Opens FY-2027 H-1B Cap Registration with Wage-Weighted Lottery

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has opened the FY-2027 H-1B cap registration period, running from March 4 through March 19, 2026. Employers must submit electronic registrations through the USCIS online portal during this window to enter candidates into the annual selection process. The annual cap remains at 65,000 visas under the regular cap, plus 20,000 additional visas reserved for U.S. master's degree holders. The most significant change this season is the implementation of a wage-weighted lottery system tied to Department of Labor prevailing wage levels. Registrations at Wage Level I (entry-level) receive one lottery entry, while Wage Level II receives two, Wage Level III receives three, and Wage Level IV (highest tier) receives four entries. This structurally favors higher-paying positions in the selection process. For EB-3 applicants and those in the broader employment-based immigration pipeline, this H-1B shift is notable context. While H-1B and EB-3 are distinct pathways, many EB-3 workers may eventually transition to or hold H-1B status. The wage-weighting signals a broader federal policy trend toward prioritizing higher-wage foreign workers across employment-based immigration categories. A $100,000 payment requirement, introduced by a September 2025 presidential proclamation, applies to H-1B petitions approved for consular processing — generally affecting beneficiaries outside the U.S. or those ineligible for change of status. Beneficiaries already in the U.S. on F-1 or similar status pursuing change of status are typically exempt from this fee. Employers whose registrations are selected will have a 90-day filing window starting April 1, 2026, to submit full H-1B petitions. F-1 OPT holders should ensure timely filing to preserve cap-gap employment authorization continuity.