The H-1B cap registration season is officially here! USCIS has announced that the Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B registration window will open March 4th, 2026, and will close March 19th, 2026.
At Sumner Immigration Law, our goal is to make this process as smooth and predictable as possible for our clients. Because this year brings significant new rules, including a move away from the traditional random lottery, we want to ensure you are prepared well in advance. Below is a summary of the key dates, the major changes, and our internal deadlines designed to streamline the process and reduce stress and anxiety for our clients.
Key Registration Dates
- Registration Window Opens: March 4, 2026 (12:00 PM ET)
- Registration Window Closes: March 19, 2026 (12:00 PM ET)
- Selection Notifications: USCIS aims to complete and send selections by March 31, 2026.
Major Regulatory Changes
The most significant update this year is the implementation of a Wage-Weighted Selection Process.
- No More Random Lottery: USCIS is moving away from a purely random selection. Instead, registrations will be prioritized based on the Department of Labor (DOL) wage level associated with the position. This is referred to as a weighted selection process.
- How the Odds Work: Higher wage levels will now receive more "entries" into the selection pool. For example, a Level 4 position receives four entries, while a Level 1 position receives one.
- Passport/Travel Document Requirement: You must provide valid passport or travel document information for each candidate at the time of registration.
- $100,000 Fee for Certain Petitions: Pursuant to a recent Presidential Proclamation, a $100,000 fee now applies to certain H-1B petitions for beneficiaries outside the U.S. requesting consular processing. (Please note: This generally does not apply to Change of Status filings for those already in the U.S., such as F-1 students. The vast majority of the H-1B registrations that we file are not subject to the $100,000 fee.)
For a deep dive into these changes, we invite you to watch the recording of our latest webinar: Understanding the Registration Process and the New Weighted Selection Rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- When should we initiate H-1B cases with your firm? We recommend initiating all cases immediately. Unlike previous years, where you could simply enter your candidate’s basic details, this year requires a high level of strategy. Because your selection odds are now tied to the specific wage level and job classification, we must conduct a rigorous analysis of job titles, SOC codes, and salary data before the registration window opens. The earlier we start, the more time we have for this critical planning.
- Can we change the job position or wage level after the candidate is selected? No. It is vital to understand that the information we provide during registration is essentially "locked in." USCIS requires the subsequent H-1B petition to match the SOC code, work location, and wage level indicated in the registration. If an employer attempts to file a petition with a lower wage level or a different position than what was registered, USCIS may deny the petition. This is why it is essential to have a trusted attorney conduct a thorough analysis at the start. This ensures that the data submitted is not only accurate but also sets a solid foundation for a successful petition later.
- What is the latest date Sumner Immigration will accept new clients? We will continue to accept new registration clients until the registration window opens or until our team reaches maximum capacity, whichever comes first. Because this year’s new weighted system requires much more intensive strategy and analysis for every single entry, our capacity is more limited than in years past. This is why we strongly recommend initiating your case with us as early as possible. We pride ourselves on providing high-touch service, and we limit our caseload specifically to ensure every filing gets the dedicated, professional attention it deserves.
- When is the deadline to provide candidate information for review? To ensure we have enough time for the strategic review mentioned above, it is ideal to provide all candidate documents (resumes, transcripts, and passport copies) to us by February 16, 2026. The first step though is to retain our services, which you can do by signing the engagement letter and paying the legal fee.
- Once registration opens, what is your firm’s submission timeline? To ensure the smoothest experience and protect your filings from technical glitches, we follow a strict internal protocol:
- The 24-Hour Wait: We wait 24 hours after the window opens before submitting any registrations. This allows the USCIS system to stabilize and ensures any "day-one" technical bugs are resolved.
- The 48-Hour Buffer: Our goal is to have all registrations submitted 48 hours before the window closes. Historically, the USCIS website experiences significant lag in the final hours due to high traffic; this buffer ensures your registrations are safe.
- Does filing on the first day increase our chances? No. Filing at the very beginning of the window provides no advantage. USCIS treats all registrations submitted within the window equally. All registrations are allotted the same "received" status for the purposes of the weighted selection process.
Next Steps: Please visit www.SumnerImmigration.com/H-1B-cap to retain our services and begin the intake process. We will continue to monitor USCIS updates closely and provide further guidance as March 4th approaches!
