The most important week in the H-1B calendar. Day by day: what happens, what to watch, what to do.
The week of March 29, 2026 is the most consequential week in the H-1B calendar. Four major events land in five days. This is your complete day-by-day guide to everything happening and what you need to do right now.
Quick Answer: What Happens March 29-April 1, 2026?
March 29: Selections continuing, check myUSCIS daily. March 30: Social media vetting program officially expanded — your LinkedIn and social profiles are now subject to systematic review for all pending visa applications. March 31: Selection window closes — final day for FY2027 first-round lottery. April 1: Filing window opens for selected candidates + new Form I-129 becomes mandatory + Cap-Gap activates for OPT holders with timely filed petitions.
| Company | H-1B Filings | April 1 Filing Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 55,150 | Day 1 filer |
| Microsoft | 34,626 | Day 1 filer |
| 33,416 | Day 1 filer | |
| Infosys | 32,840 | Week 1 filer |
| Tata | 28,950 | Week 1 filer |
| Meta | 14,900 | Day 1 filer |
| Apple | 15,800 | Day 1 filer |
The FY2027 selection window is in its final 72 hours. Check myUSCIS. The FY2027 lottery had 343,981 total registrations (down 27%) with 35.3% overall selection odds. If selected, your status shows "Selected" in myUSCIS. If still "Submitted," you remain in the reserve pool through March 31.
Action: Check myUSCIS. If selected, notify your employer immediately and begin I-129 document collection. If Submitted, do nothing yet — window is not closed.
The expanded social media vetting program officially takes effect. LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and GitHub are now subject to systematic review for all pending H-1B applications and visa applicants. This is not future — it starts today.
Action: Complete your LinkedIn audit now. Ensure job title, employer name, employment dates, and education match your petition exactly. Do NOT delete profiles — update and align instead.
The H-1B FY2027 selection window officially closes. No new selections occur after March 31. All remaining "Submitted" registrations become first-round Not Selected — but remain eligible for the July 2026 reserve lottery.
Action: Final status check in myUSCIS. If Submitted after March 31, begin executing the Submitted status action plan: confirm registration is active, check OPT dates, apply for STEM OPT if eligible, explore cap-exempt alternatives.
1. H-1B Filing Window Opens: Selected candidates' employers can now file I-129 petitions. Regular processing ($460) or Premium Processing ($2,965 for 15-day response). File as soon as possible — do not wait until June 30 deadline.
2. New Form I-129 Mandatory: A revised Form I-129 is required for all petitions filed on or after April 1, 2026. Old form versions will be rejected. Your immigration attorney should already have the new form. Confirm before filing.
3. Cap-Gap Activates: F-1 OPT holders with petitions timely filed by April 1 automatically receive Cap-Gap protection — extending F-1 status and work authorization through September 30, 2026. No separate application required.
Action: Selected candidates — push your employer to file April 1 or as soon as possible using new I-129 form. OPT holders — verify your employer files on April 1 to activate Cap-Gap before your EAD expires.
Contact HR and your immigration attorney directly on March 29 if selected. Do not wait for them to reach out. Confirm: (1) they know you were selected, (2) they have the new April 2026 Form I-129, (3) they plan to file by April 1 or as soon as possible. Every day of delay in filing is a day less for USCIS processing before October 1.
The expanded vetting applies to all H-1B applications — both COS petitions adjudicated by USCIS and consular processing at U.S. embassies. USCIS adjudicators may request social media information via RFE. Consular officers review social media profiles before visa interviews. All applicants should audit immediately.
The filing window runs April 1 through June 30, 2026. However, filing early is strongly advised. Premium processing takes 15 business days from receipt, and USCIS may issue RFEs that require time to respond. Early filing gives maximum time to resolve any petition issues before October 1.
No. H-1B cap-subject status does not take effect until October 1, 2026 regardless of when the petition is approved. An approval in May 2026 with an October 1 start date means you cannot begin H-1B employment until October 1. You can continue working under Cap-Gap OPT authorization if applicable.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →Four major events: (1) March 29-30: Selections are in final days — check myUSCIS status. (2) March 30: Expanded social media vetting program officially launches for all H-1B applications. (3) March 31: FY2027 selection window officially closes — final selections made. (4) April 1: Filing window opens for selected candidates, new mandatory Form I-129 takes effect, and Cap-Gap activates for timely filed OPT holders.
No. USCIS will not accept cap-subject H-1B petitions before April 1 regardless of when selection occurred. The April 1 filing start date is statutory. Employers can have all documents prepared and ready to submit at 12:01am April 1, but no earlier.
Previously, social media review was largely discretionary and inconsistent. The March 30 2026 expansion systematizes the process — consular posts and USCIS service centers now follow standardized protocols to review applicant social media profiles as part of routine processing, not just in suspicious cases. Coverage expands beyond LinkedIn to include X, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Cap-Gap protection requires that the I-129 petition be filed before your OPT EAD expires. If your OPT expires April 15 and the petition is not filed until April 20, there is a 5-day gap in work authorization. You cannot work during this gap. File on April 1 if possible — do not allow any gap between OPT expiration and petition filing.