USCIS Announces FY 2027 H‑1B Lottery Registration Opens March 4 With New Weighted Selection Process

February 4, 2026

What's New

USCIS will open the FY 2027 H-1B lottery electronic registration period on March 4, 2026. Employers will have until March 19, 2026, to submit electronic registrations using their USCIS online accounts and pay the $215 registration fee per beneficiary. USCIS is expected to send out selection notices by March 31, 2026.

Under USCIS’ new weighted selection rule, employers receive more lottery entries for higher-paid positions: Level IV lottery registrants get four lottery entries, Level III get three entries, Level II get two entries, and Level I get one entry. The policy is designed to prioritize higher-paid, higher-skilled workers in the H-1B lottery while preserving some access for all wage levels.

Workers selected in the lottery may also be subject to a $100,000 fee if hired from outside the United States. The $100,000 fee does not apply to H-1B petitioners who are already in the United States seeking change of status, extensions, or amendments.

What It Means

Employers should expect the lottery registration process to look similar to last year, but the new weighted selection rule heightens the importance of choosing accurate wage levels and job data during registration. The new $100,000 fee could also influence budgeting and hiring strategies.

What You Should Do

Before March 4, employers should:

Confirm USCIS organizational accounts are up to date,
Review wage levels and consider how they affect selection odds,
Assess the potential impact of the $100,000 filing fee on FY 2027 H-1B hiring plans.

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