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TIMELINE AND DATES
The Complete FY 2027 H-1B Timeline: Every Critical Date
If you are moving forward with an H-1B application in 2026, these are the dates that will define your year. Miss any of them and you lose your chance entirely.
February 27, 2026 — New Weighted Selection Rule Takes Effect
The wage-weighted lottery system becomes official. All registrations submitted after this date will be subject to the new rules. Your employer should have already audited the SOC code, wage level, and position requirements before this date.
March 4, 2026 (Noon Eastern) — Registration Window Opens
USCIS opens the online portal for FY 2027 H-1B cap registrations. Your employer (or their attorney) can begin submitting registrations for each beneficiary. The registration fee must be paid at this time.
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March 19, 2026 (Noon Eastern) — Registration Window Closes
This is a hard deadline. Any registration not submitted and paid for by noon Eastern on March 19 will not be included in the lottery. There are no extensions and no exceptions.
Late March 2026 — Lottery Selections Announced
USCIS conducts the weighted selection process and notifies selected registrants. Your employer will receive notification through their USCIS online account. If selected, you move to the petition filing stage.
April – June 2026 — Petition Filing Window
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Selected employers have 90 days to file the full H-1B petition (Form I-129) with all supporting documentation, including the Labor Condition Application (LCA), educational credentials, and the $100,000 fee if applicable.
October 1, 2026 — Earliest Start Date
If approved, the H-1B visa becomes active on October 1, 2026 (the start of fiscal year 2027). This is the earliest date you can legally begin working under the new H-1B status.
Important: What to Do RIGHT NOW (February 2026)
If you haven’t already taken these steps, you are behind schedule:
- Confirm with your employer that they intend to register you for the FY 2027 lottery
- Ensure the SOC code and wage level have been determined and optimized
- Verify whether the $100,000 fee applies to your situation
- Gather all passport and travel document information (must be current and valid)
- If you have multiple potential sponsors, coordinate to ensure consistent wage levels
- Consider premium processing ($2,805) to expedite the petition after selection
[NEXT PAGE: The Honest Assessment — Should You Still Pursue the H-1B? →]
