Introduction
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has completed the initial electronic registration selection for the FY 2027 H-1B cap, including the advanced degree exemption.
If you submitted a registration, now is the time to log in to your USCIS account and check your selection status.
Registration Status: What Each One Means
Your USCIS account will display one of the following statuses:
Submitted
Your registration remains eligible for possible selection in additional lottery rounds if USCIS conducts them.
Selected
You have been selected in the lottery and are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition.
Not Selected
Your registration was not chosen. This status typically appears after USCIS has completed the final selection process for the fiscal year.
Denied – Duplicate Registration
Multiple registrations were submitted for the same beneficiary by the same registrant, resulting in disqualification.
Invalidated – Failed Payment
The registration was not properly submitted due to a payment failure.
Deleted
The registration has been removed and is no longer under consideration.
When and How to File Your H-1B Petition
For selected applicants, the filing window is expected to open on April 1, 2026.The exact filing period will be listed on the H-1B registration selection notice and will be at least 90 days.
Your petition must:
- Include the current edition of Form I-129
- Use the correct USCIS filing fees
- Be submitted to the correct USCIS filing location
Errors in filing can result in rejection or delays, so careful preparation is essential.
Important Updates for FY 2027 Filings
Updated Fees and Forms
Ensure you are using the most recent version of Form I-129 and the correct fee schedule in effect at the time of filing.
Filing Locations
H-1B cap petitions must be filed at the designated USCIS lockbox locations, not service centers.
Submitting to the wrong location may result in rejection.
Receipt Notice Delays
Due to high filing volumes, USCIS may take longer to issue Form I-797 receipt notices.
If your petition delivery is confirmed but no receipt notice is received within 30 days, you may contact USCIS for follow-up.
Next Steps for Applicants
- Log in to your USCIS account and confirm your registration status
- If selected, begin preparing your H-1B petition immediately
- Verify you are using the correct forms and fees
- Ensure proper filing location before submission
- Track delivery and monitor for USCIS updates
Conclusion
The release of the FY 2027 H-1B lottery results marks an important step in the process, but selection is only the beginning. Timely and accurate filing of the H-1B petition is critical to securing approval.
Applicants and employers should act quickly to prepare strong, compliant filings within the designated window.
Sources:
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
We Can Help!
If you have questions regarding H-1B Visas, we invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Please read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
REBECCA KROLL is an Associate Attorney at Richards and Jurusik who practices exclusively in U.S. immigration law, focusing on both business and family-based immigration. She assists clients with employment-based visas, marriage and family cases, and the U.S. citizenship process. (Full Bio)
