H-1B Cap 2027 Guide
A Complete Guide for Employers & H-1B Aspirants
What is the H1-B Program?
The H-1 B visa program is a US government program for US employers seeking to hire non-immigrants as workers/employees in a speciality occupation. The law defines a speciality occupation as one that requires the application of a body of highly specialised knowledge requiring at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Every year, the program offers a stipulated number of new H-1 B visas, amounting to 85,000, which USCIS issues for each financial year starting on 1st Oct, which any employer can use.
H1-B visa quota for FY 2027
The number of new H-1 B visas for fiscal 2027 that USCIS will issue will fall into two categories: the regular quota (for beneficiaries with a bachelor’s degree) and the other for master’s degree holders. Since there is a limit on the number of new visas issued in any fiscal year, it is called the H-1 B cap.
Bachelors Category: 65000 visas Master’s Category: 20000 visas
Important Dates of H-1B Cap Season 2027
- March 4, 2026: Registration Period Opens — Employers began submitting electronic registrations for the lottery at 12:00 PM ET.
- March 19, 2026: Registration Period Closes — The submission window closed at 12:00 PM ET.
- March 31, 2026: Selection Notifications — USCIS finished the random selection process and notified “Selected” registrants via their online accounts.
- April 1, 2026: Petition Filing Window Opens — Selected employers began filing the full H-1B petitions (Form I-129).
- June 30, 2026: Standard Filing Deadline — Typically, the end of the initial 90-day window to file a petition for those selected in the first round.
- October 1, 2027: Earliest Employment Start Date — The official beginning of Fiscal Year 2026 and the earliest day a selected worker could start in H-1B status.
Understanding H-1B Process
01.
H-1B Registration.
01.
H-1B Registration.
The entry phase for participating in the H-1B Cap Season 2027, during which the Employer enrolls all future H-1B employees they intend to hire.
02.
H-1B Lottery.
02.
H-1B Lottery.
A USCIS shortlisting mechanism that will be used to sort H-1B aspirants of the Cap Season 2027 based on enrollment done during registration.
03.
H-1B Petition.
03.
H-1B Petition.
The final application process for the H-1B visa for aspirants and their employers who get picked during the H-1B Cap Season 2027 Lottery.
04.
Securing Visa
04.
Securing Visa
A list of final steps that the aspirants and employers need to follow after USCIS accepts the H-1B Cap Season 2027 application
Tips from Prashanthi
What H-1B Employers should know?
Remember, the job profiles for which you plan to hire H-1B employees in Cap Season 2027 should require specialised skills, and the salary should match the prevailing wageWhat H-1B Aspirants should know?
Remember, you need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree in a specific field that offers specific technical skills to deliver the task in the H-1B qualifying job profile.
Key H-1B Questions
A U.S. employer can sponsor an H-1B visa for a foreign worker. The employer must demonstrate a need for a foreign professional in a specialty occupation and confirm that the worker is qualified for the role.
The H-1B visa cap limits the number of new H-1B visas issued annually. The Regular Cap allows 65,000 visas, while an additional 20,000 visas are available under the Master’s Cap.
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field or possess 12 years of progressive work experience in a specialty occupation.
The application fee includes the standard USCIS filing fee and a supplemental fee applicable only to certain consular processing cases.
The Cap Season 2027 follows a wage-weighted lottery system that prioritizes higher salary offers while maintaining beneficiary uniqueness using passport identification.
How Can We Help?
We guide employers and professionals through every stage of the H-1B visa process with precision and care. Our firm has a proven track record of assisting organizations in meeting critical H-1B compliance requirements, helping reduce the risk of penalties, audits, and costly late filings.
If you would like to discuss your H-1B visa needs, please contact our experienced immigration attorneys. You can reach the Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy, PLLC by email at prashanthi@reddyesq.com
or by phone at 212-354-1010. We also invite you to stay informed by exploring our latest immigration news and updates related to the H-1B visa program.
Our immigration attorney provides legal services across multiple U.S. states, including New York, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and California, and assists clients nationwide. Whether you are an employer seeking compliance guidance or a professional pursuing an H-1B visa, our dedicated team of U.S. immigration lawyers is ready to support you every step of the way.
