USCIS has completed the H-1B cap selections for fiscal year 2027, meeting the statutory total of 85,000 visas and notifying all registrants whose entries were selected. The agency said petitioners with selected beneficiaries are eligible to file H-1B cap‑subject petitions beginning April 1, 2026.
The H-1B program, widely used by U.S. technology firms and health-care employers, continues to benefit large numbers of Indian professionals, including tech workers and physicians. Under current law, the annual regular cap is 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 exempt allotment for beneficiaries who hold a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
USCIS said the filing period for FY 2027 H-1B cap petitions will run for at least 90 days. Petitioners must file only for beneficiaries whose registrations were selected and must include a copy of the selection notice with the H-1B petition. USCIS will accept the revised Form I-129 that was published on February 27, 2026.
The agency reiterated that each petition must match the identifying and position information submitted in the selected registration. Petitioners should also submit evidence of the beneficiary’s passport or travel document used at registration and documentation supporting the wage level claimed on the registration as of the registration submission date.
This year’s selection process continues the shift to a wage‑based model, which gives priority to registrations tied to higher wages and advanced skills. USCIS and policymakers say the change is intended to better align visa allocation with labor‑market needs and to reduce misuse. Separate changes include a previously introduced USD 100,000 fee that applies in certain cases when employers sponsor workers from outside the United States; that measure is aimed at reducing reliance on overseas hiring and encouraging domestic recruitment.
Prospective petitioners should confirm they have the required evidence, the correct edition of Form I-129, and the selection notice before filing. Selected beneficiaries whose petitions are approved may proceed to obtain H-1B status or consular processing as applicable.
