FY 2027 H-1B Cap Filing Window Closed June 30 — What Employers Watch Next

USCIS completed the initial FY 2027 H-1B electronic registration selection on March 31, 2026. Selected employers had a filing window from April 1 through June 30, 2026 to submit cap-subject Form I-129 petitions for those beneficiaries. That filing period closed on June 30, 2026.

Where things stand after June 30

• Petitions for selected beneficiaries had to be properly filed within the selection-notice window (ending June 30, 2026).
• USCIS will assess how many complete petitions it received against the annual H-1B numerical allocations (including the master’s exemption).
• Whether a second lottery selection occurs depends on whether enough approvable petitions were filed to reach the cap — that outcome is not automatic.
• In some recent years USCIS ran a second selection; in others it did not. Employers with unselected registrations should monitor USCIS alerts, not assume a second round.

What mid-size employers should do now

• If you filed a selected cap petition: track receipt notices and prepare for RFEs on specialty occupation, wage level, and worksite facts.
• If you missed the June 30 window for a selected registration: that selection generally cannot be used after the deadline — speak with counsel about options for the next cycle or alternate status strategies.
• If you were not selected: keep candidates informed and plan transfers, cap-exempt paths, or next year’s registration — do not wait passively for a second lottery announcement.
• Change-of-employer transfers for workers already in H-1B status remain available year-round and do not use a cap number.

h1bfiling.com supports lottery registration ($999 flat) and full petition or transfer filing ($2,999 flat) with lawyer review — including for employers hiring via transfer outside the cap season. See the H-1B cap & cap-gap guide and cap alternatives if selection did not go your way.