Where the H-1B cap process stands now
The H1B electronic registration period has now closed for cap-subject registrations for FY 2027.
USCIS is currently running the selection process and updating employer accounts with selection outcomes. Employers are now beginning to see status updates for each registered beneficiary as results are released.
A “Selected” status confirms that the employer can proceed to file a full H-1B petition. A “Submitted” status means the registration remains in the pool and may still be picked in a later selection round. A “Not selected” status indicates that the registration has not been chosen in the initial round and will not move forward at this stage.
Selection notifications are generally released in the final week of March. As at today, results are being issued or are imminent, depending on USCIS processing timelines.
What is happening behind the scenes
USCIS is finalizing the selection process using the beneficiary-centric model. Each individual is entered once into the selection pool, regardless of how many employers submitted registrations on their behalf. This approach is intended to limit duplicate filings and reduce the scope for manipulation of the process.
The agency is calibrating selection volumes against the statutory cap limits, which provide for 65,000 places under the regular cap and a further 20,000 places for beneficiaries who hold a qualifying US master’s degree or higher.
Selections are issued based on projected petition filing rates. USCIS routinely selects more registrations than the numerical cap to account for cases that are not pursued or are later refused.
What happens next for selected cases
For registrations marked as “Selected,” the process moves immediately into the petition filing stage. Employers can begin filing cap-subject H-1B petitions from April 1, 2026, using Form I-129. USCIS generally allows a 90-day filing window, although the precise deadline is set out in each selection notice.
At this stage, employers need to secure a certified Labor Condition Application from the US Department of Labor, confirm the role details, salary and work location, and prepare evidence to support that the position meets the specialty occupation requirements. The full petition then needs to be filed within the permitted window.
Timing and consistency are central at this point. Any discrepancy between the registration and the petition, or delays in preparing the filing, can prevent the case from proceeding despite selection in the lottery.
Delays at this point can result in missed filing deadlines or incomplete submissions, which can lead to rejection or denial even where the registration was selected.
What if a registration is not selected
Registrations that remain in “Submitted” status are not yet out of the process. USCIS may run additional selection rounds later in the year if the number of filed petitions does not meet the annual cap.
This has become more common in recent cycles, particularly where a portion of selected employers choose not to proceed with filing.
Registrations marked as “Not selected” are no longer in contention for FY 2027 and will not be reconsidered in subsequent rounds.
Key risks at this stage
The period between selection and petition filing is where many cases encounter problems. Timing pressure, documentation gaps and inconsistencies between the registration and the final petition can all create issues.
Common risk areas include:
- Mismatch between registration details and petition filings, especially job title, salary or work location
- Delays in securing a certified Labor Condition Application
- Insufficient evidence to support the specialty occupation classification
- Failure to file within the USCIS deadline
USCIS is scrutinising petitions closely, and selection in the lottery does not guarantee approval.
H1B timeline for employers and applicants
From a planning perspective, the current stage marks the transition from uncertainty to execution.
Late March is focused on monitoring selection results. April through June is the core petition filing period. Decisions on filed cases may follow within weeks for premium processing cases, or several months under standard processing.
For employers, this is a compressed preparation window. For applicants, it is the point where documentation, qualifications and role alignment are tested against the formal legal requirements of the H-1B category.
NNU Perspective
The next few weeks will determine whether a selected registration converts into an approved H-1B petition or falls out of the process entirely. Approval will depend entirely on the strength and consistency of the petition, meaning employers who are not ready to move immediately and effectively after selection risk losing the filing window.
Need assistance?
NNU Immigration are specialist US attorneys, with expertise in renunciation of US citizenship. For guidance on your circumstances, book a fixed-fee telephone consultation to speak with one of our specialist advisers.
