.jpg?w=1000)
USCIS Confirms FY2027 H-1B Visa Cap Filled, Petition Filing Begins
Table of Content
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it has received enough applications to meet the annual H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2027. This means that the initial H-1B lottery process has been completed and selected applicants can move to the next stage of filing their petitions.
For those selected, the petition filing window opened on April 1, 2026 and will remain open until June 30, 2026. This 90-day period is important for employers sponsoring international talent, including Indian students and professional planning to work in the US.
USCIS Confirms H-1B Visa Cap for FY2027 Has Been Reached
Every year, the US issues a limited number of H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers. The annual cap stands at 85,000 visas which includes 65,000 under the regular category and the rest 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced degrees from US institutions.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that it received enough applications during the initial registration period to meet both the regular cap and the advanced degree exemption. Moreover, the employers have been informed whose candidates have been selected.
This confirms that only the selected ones can proceed with the next step of the process.
Petition Filing Window Is Open Till June 30, 2026
Selected employers can start filing their H-1B cap-subject petitions from April 1. USCIS has clearly stated that all filings must be based on a valid registration and selection notice. The filing period mentioned in the selection notices will stay open for at least 90 days.
Applicants and employers must note that USCIS will only accept the new 02/27/26 edition of Form I-129 from April 1 onwards. Each petition must have the corresponding selection notice, a copy of the passport used for the beneficiary’s registration, and supporting evidence. Also, the petitioner must ensure that their filed petitions include identifying position information consistent with their registration, including the OEWS wage level, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, and areas of intended employment. This makes timely preparation important, as missing documents or delays could affect the outcome.
The changes also bring in a major fee that was introduced earlier. In some cases, employers now have to pay $100,000 when hiring workers from outside the United States. This is meant to reduce hiring from abroad and encourage companies to hire locally.
At the same time, premium processing fees have increased from March 2026, making the overall application process more expensive.
What This Means for Selected Applicants and Employers
This update marks an important step for those selected in the H-1B lottery. With the filing window now open, employers must work closely with the selected applicants to complete and submit the petitions before the June 30 deadline.
For many international students and skilled workers, this stage is crucial because selection only allows them to file, it does not guarantee approval. USCIS will still review each petition based on eligibility, supporting documents, and job details before making a final decision. Applicants should make sure that all information in the petition matches the original registration details. Even small errors or missing documents can lead to delays or requests for additional evidence.
Can There Be a Next Round of H-1B Lucky Draw?
While the initial cap is filled, USCIS may conduct another round of selections later this year if it does not receive enough valid petitions by June 30. However, it hasn’t made any official announcements in this regard.
For now, the focus remains on completing filings within the current deadline. Overall, the update brings clarity to thousands of H-1B applications for what’s coming next. For selected candidates, the next three months will be crucial in turning lottery success into an approved work opportunity in the US.