H-1B Visa Lottery Registration to Begin on March 4 – Closes March 19

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the lottery registration period for fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap-subject petitions will open March 4, 2026 at 12 p.m. EST and is scheduled to end March 19, 2026 at 12 p.m. EST. If the USCIS receives registrations during the initial registration period that exceed the 85,000 available visas, they will conduct a weighted selection from the unique beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations. The new H-1B selection process will prioritize visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid workers by replacing the random lottery with a weight selection system. With the weighted selection system, registrations offering higher wages and skill levels will have more opportunities for selection. The changes to the registration process aim to protect U.S. workers’ wages and job opportunities while providing access to global talent.

Employers whose H-1B registrations are selected will initially be notified by March 31, 2026, with possible subsequent selections in the following months, until all 85,000 available visas are taken. We emphasize those employers with workers in the F-1 or J-1 visa class who miss the March 2026 registration period will have to wait until March 2027 to again apply for an H-1B visa. Advanced planning is necessary to avoid work authorization interruptions with foreign national workers.

The H-1B visa program is often the best option to employ foreign nationals in technical or professional occupations that require at least a Bachelor’s Degree. Accordingly, timely and proper completion of the electronic registration process is critically important. Employers who fail to register risk losing valuable employees who currently work under the F-1 or J-1 student visa because their work authorization has limited duration under those visa classifications. High demand for the H-1B visa has existed for years, as it is often the only option to retain or hire skilled foreign nationals, including recent U.S. college graduates.

Employers seeking to register foreign national employees for the H-1B lottery are encouraged to contact Miller Johnson’s Immigration Law Practice Group to confirm H-1B visa eligibility and prepare for the registration as soon as possible. Questions about the USCIS electronic employer registration, or questions on whether a job candidate or employee will require an H-1B visa petition, may be directed to h1blottery@millerjohnson.com or any member of the Miller Johnson Immigration Law Practice Group.