FY2027 H-1B Cap Registration Checklist for Employers

The FY2027 H-1B cap registration window opens at noon Eastern on March 4 and runs through 5:00 p.m. Eastern on March 19, 2026^[1]. USCIS intends to send selection notifications by March 31, 2026 via users' USCIS online accounts^[2]. Employers need employee information, a USCIS online account and payment methods ready before the window opens. This checklist covers what to prepare, the registration timeline and what happens after selection.

What do you need before you start?

Set up your USCIS online account and gather employee information before registration opens. Prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically and pay the $215 H-1B registration fee for each registration^[2].

For your organization:

• An active USCIS organizational account. If you are an H-1B petitioning employer who does not have a USCIS online account, you must create an organizational account^[2].
• Payment method for the registration fees. Each registration is for a single beneficiary^[1].
• Representatives may add company clients to their accounts at any time^[2].

For each employee:

• Beneficiary information required to register in the USCIS online account. Both representatives and employers must wait until March 4 to enter beneficiary information and submit registrations and the associated $215 fee^[2].

The registration fee is $215 per beneficiary for the FY2027 H-1B cap^[1][2]. Registrants or their representative must pay the non-refundable H-1B registration fee for each beneficiary before they are eligible to submit a registration for that beneficiary for the H-1B cap^[1].

What are the deadlines?

The initial registration period for the FY2027 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 4 and run through 5:00 p.m. Eastern on March 19^[1]. During this period, prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary and pay the $215 fee^[2].

How do you submit registrations?

Follow these steps for each employee you plan to register:

1. Create a USCIS organizational account if needed. If you are an H-1B petitioning employer who does not have a USCIS online account, you must create an organizational account^[2]. Representatives may add company clients to their accounts at any time^[2].
2. Wait until March 4 to enter beneficiary data. Both representatives and employers must wait until March 4 to enter beneficiary information and submit registrations and the associated $215 fee^[2].
3. Pay the $215 registration fee per beneficiary. Registrants or their representative must pay the non-refundable H-1B registration fee for each beneficiary before they are eligible to submit a registration for that beneficiary for the H-1B cap^[1].
4. Submit each registration. Each registration is for a single beneficiary^[1].
5. Complete submissions by the deadline. The registration period closes at 5:00 p.m. Eastern on March 19^[1].

Selections take place after the initial registration period closes^[2]. USCIS intends to send selection notifications by March 31, 2026, via users' USCIS online accounts to prospective petitioners and representatives who have at least one registration selected^[2].

What happens after selection?

USCIS intends to send selection notifications by March 31, 2026 via USCIS online accounts to prospective petitioners and representatives who have at least one registration selected^[2]. USCIS will not consider a cap-subject H-1B petition to be properly filed unless it is based on a valid, selected registration for the same beneficiary and the appropriate fiscal year^[3].

Petition filing requirements:

Step 1: Obtain a certified LCA from the Department of Labor

The employer or agent must apply for and receive DOL certification of an LCA^[3]. The DOL-certified LCA should be submitted with the Form I-129 (only for specialty occupation and fashion models)^[3].

Step 2: File Form I-129 with USCIS

The employer or agent should file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, at the correct location or online^[3].

Required elements:

• Complete all required sections accurately^[4].
• H-1B cap petitions for the FY2027 cap must include an employment start date of no earlier than October 1, 2026^[4].
• You must indicate a start date of October 1, 2026 or later (and 6 months or less from the receipt date of the petition) on your petition or your petition will be rejected or denied^[4].
• Do not file petitions earlier than 6 months before the requested employment start date^[4].
• USCIS will reject H-1B petitions requesting a start date of "As Soon As Possible" or "ASAP"^[4].
• The DOL-certified LCA should be submitted with the Form I-129 (only for specialty occupation and fashion models)^[3].

If subject to the Presidential Proclamation, the Form I-129 must be accompanied by either proof from pay.gov that the $100,000 payment has been scheduled for the specific beneficiary or by evidence of an exception from the $100,000 payment from the Secretary of Homeland Security^[3].

What are the costs?

Budget for registration and petition costs when planning your H-1B cases:

Gale fees (flat fee: platform fee plus attorney legal fee):

• H-1B lottery registration: $0^[5]
• New H-1B petition: $999^[5]

Gale's H-1B service includes full attorney review before filing and RFE response if needed^[5].

Government fees:

• Registration fee: $215 per beneficiary^[1][2]
• Form I-129 and associated fees (amounts vary by employer size and petition type)
• Presidential Proclamation payment: $100,000 per beneficiary if the requirement applies^[3]

Calculate total costs for your headcount at /pricing or use the visa cost calculator.

What are common mistakes?

Avoid these issues that can cause rejection or denial:

• USCIS will reject petitions filed earlier than 6 months before the requested employment start date^[4]
• You must indicate a start date of October 1, 2026 or later on your petition or your petition will be rejected or denied^[4]
• USCIS will reject H-1B petitions requesting a start date of "As Soon As Possible" or "ASAP"^[4]
• USCIS will not consider a cap-subject H-1B petition to be properly filed unless it is based on a valid, selected registration for the same beneficiary and the appropriate fiscal year^[3]
• The DOL-certified LCA should be submitted with the Form I-129 (only for specialty occupation and fashion models)^[3]

What to do next

Before the window opens:

• Create a USCIS organizational account if you don't have one^[2]
• Gather beneficiary information for each employee you plan to register
• Confirm payment methods are ready

March 4 through March 19:

• Enter beneficiary information and submit registrations through your USCIS online account^[2]
• Pay the $215 fee per beneficiary before submitting each registration^[1][2]

By March 31, 2026:

• Check your USCIS online account for selection notifications^[2]
• Begin LCA certification for selected registrations^[3]

For detailed H-1B eligibility, costs and timelines, see the H-1B visa overview. Questions about specialty occupation requirements? Review the specialty occupation glossary entry. Questions about the LCA? See the LCA glossary entry.

This article is for general information only and isn't legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently; speak with an attorney about your specific situation. Read how we research, fact-check and approve articles in our editorial policy.