FY 2027 H-1B registration opens March 4, 2026, and closes March 19, 2026

On January 30, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the dates for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B visa lottery. There have been significant changes in lottery selection. Here is what employers need to know.

What is an H-1B visa?

An H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and requires a bachelor’s degree or higher in the worker’s specialty or its equivalent.

H-1B specialty occupations may include fields such as architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology and the arts. H-1B visas are not available for hourly employees or those without a specialized degree.

What is the process?

The initial registration period for the H-1B visa lottery will open at 12:00 pm EST on March 4, 2026, and close at 12:00 pm EST on March 19, 2026.

To submit a petition for an H-1B visa, employers need to pay a $215 fee to register the beneficiary in the USCIS lottery, which randomly selects which petitions will be processed. Employers that do not already have an organizational account with USCIS must register for one. Employers that are concerned they will make a mistake when registering an individual should contact legal counsel for advice or assistance. A single error is likely to result in automatic non-selection.