H-1B FY2027 Cap Registration Is Open: Dates, Rules, and Next Steps
Every year, thousands of immigrants and their employers wait anxiously for one announcement from USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — the government agency that handles immigration applications). That announcement just arrived: the H-1B cap registration for Fiscal Year 2027 is now open.
If you work in tech, engineering, finance, medicine, or another specialty field, this matters to you — a lot. The H-1B is one of the most popular ways for skilled foreign workers to get legal status in the United States. But there are only so many available each year, and you can only get in through this registration window.
What Is the H-1B Visa and Who Can Apply?
The H-1B is a temporary work visa (a legal document that lets you live and work in the US) for people in "specialty occupations." That means jobs that normally need at least a bachelor's degree — things like software engineering, accounting, architecture, or healthcare.
Each fiscal year (October 1 to September 30), the US government makes 65,000 H-1B spots available. There are also 20,000 extra spots for people with a US master's degree or higher. That sounds like a lot — but hundreds of thousands of people apply every year. So USCIS runs a lottery to pick who gets in.
Here's the important part: your employer applies for you, not you yourself. You can't register on your own. Your company or employer must create an account with USCIS and submit your registration during the open window. If they miss it, you miss it.
When Does the FY2027 H-1B Registration Window Close?
USCIS announced the registration period opened at noon Eastern time. The agency has not yet confirmed the exact closing date publicly in the data available, but historically the window stays open for about two weeks. In past years, USCIS kept the window open from mid-March to late March.
Do not wait. Tell your employer or HR department today. Time moves fast during registration season, and any delay on paperwork or payment could mean you get left out.
Also keep in mind: registering does not mean you get an H-1B. It just puts you into the lottery. USCIS randomly selects petitions after the window closes. If your registration is selected, then your employer can file the full H-1B petition.
What Changed With H-1B Rules Recently?
Starting with the FY2025 registration cycle, USCIS made some big changes to how the H-1B lottery works — and those changes are still in effect for FY2027.
The biggest change: the lottery is now based on unique individuals, not the number of registrations. Before, some employers would file multiple registrations for the same worker with different companies, giving that person more chances to win. USCIS stopped that. Now, each person gets only one slot in the lottery, no matter how many employers register them.
This is actually good news for most people. It levels the playing field. Workers who didn't have multiple employers helping them now have the same odds as everyone else.
USCIS also raised the registration fee. Each employer must pay $215 per registration. This is non-refundable, even if you don't get selected in the lottery.
\h2>What Is Happening With TPS for Yemen?While H-1B news is getting a lot of attention, there's another major update affecting immigrants right now. USCIS and DHS (the Department of Homeland Security) announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen is being terminated.
TPS (Temporary Protected Status) is a special protection the US government gives to people from countries experiencing war, natural disasters, or other dangerous conditions. It lets you live and work legally in the US while your home country is unsafe.
If you are from Yemen and currently have TPS, this news directly affects you. The termination means your TPS protection and work authorization could end. You'll want to speak with an immigration attorney right away to understand your options — including whether you qualify for another immigration status.
This follows a broader pattern of TPS terminations by the current administration. Other countries have also had TPS ended or reduced in recent months, leaving hundreds of thousands of immigrants in difficult situations.
Are You an Asylum Seeker Waiting on a Work Permit?
If you have a pending asylum application (a formal request asking the US government to protect you because you fear returning to your home country), you may be waiting to apply for a work permit — also called an EAD (Employment Authorization Document).
Asylum seekers can apply for an EAD after their asylum case has been pending for 180 days. But knowing exactly when you hit that 180-day mark can be confusing, especially with court delays and USCIS processing times.
That's where the free AsyClock calculator can help. It tracks your 180-day asylum clock so you know exactly when you're eligible to apply for a work permit. You don't have to guess or do the math yourself — just enter your information and the tool tells you where you stand.
What About Immigration Fraud? USCIS Is Watching
USCIS also made headlines for helping investigate immigration fraud in New York City. The investigation led to indictments and arrests. This is a reminder that immigration fraud — like paying someone to file fake applications or using false documents — can lead to criminal charges, not just deportation (being sent back to your home country by the government).
If someone is offering you a "guaranteed" green card or H-1B for a large payment outside normal channels, be very careful. Scams targeting immigrants are common and costly. Always use accredited representatives or licensed immigration attorneys.
What Should You Do Now?
- If you're on H-1B or your employer wants to sponsor you: Contact your HR department or immigration attorney today. Ask them to confirm your registration has been submitted during the FY2027 cap window. Don't assume someone else is handling it — follow up yourself.
- If you have TPS from Yemen: Consult an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. Ask about options like asylum, family-based petitions, or other forms of relief. Don't wait until your status expires to take action.
- If you're an asylum seeker waiting on your work permit: Use the free AsyClock asylum clock calculator to find out if you've reached the 180-day waiting period. Knowing your exact date can help you plan your EAD application and avoid unnecessary delays.
- Watch out for fraud: Only work with licensed attorneys or accredited representatives for immigration help. Check credentials before paying anyone for immigration services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the H-1B cap registration and why does it matter?
The H-1B cap registration is the annual window when employers can enter the lottery to get an H-1B work visa for a foreign worker. USCIS only makes a limited number of H-1B visas available each year — 65,000 regular spots and 20,000 for US master's degree holders. If your employer doesn't register you during this window, you have to wait another full year to try again.
Can I register for the H-1B lottery myself?
No. Only your employer can register you. The company must have a USCIS online account and pay the $215 registration fee per person. If you're self-employed, the situation is more complicated and you should speak with an immigration attorney about your options.
What happens after the H-1B registration window closes?
After the window closes, USCIS runs a random lottery to select registrations. If your registration is selected, your employer then has several months to file the full H-1B petition with supporting documents. If not selected, you are not eligible to get an H-1B for that fiscal year.
What does the TPS Yemen termination mean for Yemeni immigrants?
It means that Yemeni nationals currently protected under TPS will lose that status and their connected work authorization when the termination takes effect. If you have TPS from Yemen, you should talk to an immigration attorney right away to explore other options like asylum or family-based immigration.
How do asylum seekers know when they can apply for a work permit?
Asylum seekers can apply for an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) after their asylum application has been pending for 180 days without a final decision. Tracking this date can be tricky because of how USCIS counts days. The free AsyClock calculator helps you track your 180-day asylum clock accurately so you know exactly when to file.