USCIS Announces Completion of FY 2027 H-1B Initial Registration Selection Process
USCIS has completed FY 2027 H-1B initial registration selection. Petitions may be filed beginning April 1, 2026. If you manage immigration for your team, here is what happens next:
1️⃣ Selected employees are eligible to file. You have until June 30, 2026 to file.
2️⃣ Employees with a "Submitted" status were not selected in this round. USCIS may conduct additional rounds if needed to reach the cap. No action is required yet.
3️⃣ For employees who were not selected, this is the moment to start the conversation about alternate pathways. Waiting costs time, and some options have long lead times.
Depending on their background, there may be viable routes worth evaluating: O-1A, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, L-1, and others.
At Casium, we provide free assessments for your workforce and help you identify the right immigration strategy for each employee. Submit your team for a free assessment, and we will help you figure out what comes next.
FY 2027 H-1B Work Visa Registration Open: March 4–19, 2026 | Free Support by Casium
USCIS has announced that FY 2027 H-1B initial registration will run from March 4 to March 19, 2026 (noon ET to noon ET). Registrations must be submitted through USCIS online accounts, with a $215 fee per beneficiary.
If you’ve handled H-1B registrations before, the overall process will feel familiar. The key change this year is how selections are made.
For FY 2027, weighted selection is in effect, meaning USCIS will prioritize higher-paid and higher-skilled roles, per the final rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
Everything else remains largely the same.
As you start planning for FY 2027 filings, this is a good moment to sanity-check role eligibility and compensation before the window opens.
If you’d like support, our team is here to help. Casium is offering free H-1B lottery registration this cycle. (Only government filing fees apply.
Starting with the FY 2027 H-1B season, the H-1B lottery will be wage-weighted, not purely random. Higher-paid roles will have better odds of selection:
Level I: 1 entry
Level II: 2 entries
Level III: 3 entries
Level IV: 4 entries
Entry-level roles remain eligible, but wage level now directly impacts selection chances. Employers must also support and prove the declared wage level at the petition stage.
What employers should do now:
Review job roles, SOC codes, work locations, and salary alignment early. Even minor adjustments in compensation or role definition can influence lottery outcomes.
Are you wondering whether you should hire an immigration lawyer before the H1B lottery or wait until after you’re selected? In this video, e
H-1B Lottery: Should You Hire an Immigration Lawyer Now or Wait?
Are you wondering whether you should hire an immigration lawyer before the H1B lottery or wait until after you’re selected? In this video, experienced immigration lawyer Loren Locke explains the key considerations for employees and employers navigating the H1B visa process. With the H-1B visa remaining one of the most sought-after pathways in US immigration, understanding when to bring in legal help can save time, money, and unnecessary stress.
The H1B lottery 2025 is competitive, with thousands of applicants vying for limited slots. The H1B registration process requires careful attention to deadlines, employer responsibilities, and USCIS H1B registration rules. Knowing how the process works and whether to hire an immigration lawyer H1B early can help avoid mistakes that could lead to rejection or delays. An experienced H1B visa lawyer can guide both employers and employees on compliance and preparation.
Once selected, the full H1B petition must be filed with USCIS, including supporting documents and fees. This is where many applicants realize the true complexity of H1B visa process 2025. The petition is not filed by the employee but by the employer, who must sign and pay for it. Missteps can jeopardize not only the H1B lottery USCIS application but also the long-term path to a green card or other US visa options.
This video also covers H1B visa requirements 2025, common employer questions, and practical H1B lottery tips to improve your chances of success. With changes in immigration law, updates from USCIS H1B 2025, and evolving H1B news, it’s essential to stay current. An immigration lawyer can help you and your employer understand the risks, responsibilities, and strategies involved in filing a strong petition.
If you’re navigating the H1B visa lottery, following USCIS H1B news, or considering your options in immigration USA, this breakdown will help you prepare. Whether you’re an employee hoping for selection, an employer sponsoring talent, or just seeking reliable guidance from a USA immigration lawyer, this video provides clarity on when and why to hire an attorney for your H-1B journey. Stay informed and prepared for the H1B registration 2025 season.
--- Locke Immigration Law helps American companies and skilled immigrants work together. Send us your information to see if we can help you: https://form.fillout.com/t/pHYN45z9aBus Follow Loren Locke on LinkedIn: / lorenlocke
--- Want to learn how to strategically frame your achievements for the EB1A "Extraordinary Ability" visa? My free 5-day email course, "5 Days to Your Compelling EB1A Story," provides the 'EB1A Storytelling Toolkit' to help you build a powerful case. Sign up here: https://lockeimmigration.com/eb1a-ema... H-1B Lottery: Should You Hire an Immigration Lawyer Now or Wait?
⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:22 Hire a lawyer now or wait?
01:36 Odds of H-1B lottery selection
02:16 Does not getting picked affect future visas?
USCIS Completes Second Round Selection for FY 2025 H-1B Regular Cap
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has completed the second round of selections for the FY 2025 H-1B Regular Cap, providing a new opportunity for petitioners whose registrations were not initially selected. This announcement brings renewed hope for those still seeking a chance to secure an H-1B visa under the current fiscal year’s cap.
Understanding the FY 2025 H-1B Regular Cap
The H-1B visa program is one of the most sought-after routes for foreign professionals to work in the United States. Each fiscal year, USCIS sets a cap on the number of new H-1B visas that can be issued. For FY 2025, this cap is set at 85,000, which includes 65,000 visas under the regular cap and an additional 20,000 visas for individuals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
The Second Round of Selections
In response to the high demand and limited number of available visas, USCIS conducts a lottery to select eligible applicants. For FY 2025, after the initial selection process, a significant number of registrations remained in the pool. To fill the remaining slots under the regular cap, USCIS conducted a second round of selections.
This process is critical for ensuring that all available H-1B visas are allocated to qualified applicants. Those selected in this round will have the opportunity to file their petitions and potentially secure an H-1B visa for the upcoming fiscal year.
What This Means for Petitioners
If your registration was selected in the second round, it’s essential to act quickly. The next step involves filing your H-1B petition with the necessary documentation within the given timeframe. It’s advisable to consult with an immigration attorney or expert to ensure your petition is complete and accurate, minimizing the risk of delays or denials.
Moving Forward
The completion of the second round of selections under the FY 2025 H-1B Regular Cap is a reminder of the competitive nature of the H-1B visa process. For those who were selected, it marks the beginning of the next phase in their journey to work in the United States. For others, it underscores the importance of staying informed and exploring alternative visa options or preparing for future H-1B opportunities.
USCIS will open 2024 H-1B electronic registration from March 1st through 18th, 2024 for the lottery under fiscal year 2025 H-1B Cap. USCIS w
Registration for a new organizational account began last month, and the LAST DAY to file H-1B electronic registration is in the noon of March 22nd, 2024, therefore, consider to register for 2024 H-1B registration today.
