H-1B Cap FY27 Closed

By: Mishita Jethi

Overview

On March 31, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received enough H-1B petitions to meet the 65,000 congressionally mandated H-1B cap (regular cap) and the 20,000 H-1B cap reserved for individuals with U.S. advanced (master’s cap) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. Selected petitioners can submit cap-subject H-1B petitions between April 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026, using the beneficiary-specific selection notice and the new 02/27/26 edition of Form I-129.

Important changes at a glance

USCIS has finished the initial electronic selection process for the FY 2027 H-1B cap and has notified registrants with selected beneficiaries through their online accounts. USCIS confirmed that petitioners must file during the filing window listed on the selection notice and that filing period will be 90 days. USCIS has also recently updated Form I-129. USCIS’s website clarifies that that starting April 1, 2026, it will accept only the 02/27/26 edition, and filings using the prior edition received on or after that date will be rejected. USCIS further noted that the FY 2027 season is operating under the agency’s updated H-1B framework, including a rule effective February 27, 2026 that USCIS says applies to the FY 2027 registration season.

Key dates

• March 4, 2026: FY 2027 initial H-1B registration period opened at 12 pm ET.
• March 19, 2026: Initial registration period closed at 5 pm ET.
• March 31, 2026: USCIS announced that the initial selection process was completed.
• April 1, 2026: Earliest date to file FY 2027 cap-subject H-1B petitions for selected beneficiaries using the 02/27/26 edition of Form I-129.
• June 30, 2026: Last day for USCIS to receive H-1B cap petitions for FY 2027.

Action items for employers

1. Check USCIS online accounts immediately. Confirm whether each beneficiary was selected and download the selection notice.
2. Use the correct Form I-129 edition. For filings on or after April 1, 2026, use only the 02/27/26 edition.
3. Match the petition to the registration. USCIS states that the petition must include the same identifying information and job information as the selected registration – this information includes the beneficiary’s passport or travel document information used at the time of registration and evidence supporting the wage level selected in the registration as of the registration filing date.
4. File correctly and on time. USCIS says the petition must be filed at the correct filing location or online, within the period shown on the selection notice, and with a copy of that notice.

For any questions or assistance please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.