Petition filing window April 1 to June 30, new Form I-129 02/27/2026 required, premium processing decision, LCA wage level consistency, employer action checklist
Congratulations — you have been selected in the H-1B FY2027 lottery. Out of approximately 343,981 registrations, around 121,000 were selected in the initial round, giving overall odds of 35.3%. But selection is only step one. Your employer now has from April 1 to June 30, 2026 to file your complete H-1B petition. Missing this window means losing your selection entirely. This guide walks you through every step from selection notice to October 1 start date.
Quick Answer: Your employer must file the H-1B petition between April 1 and June 30, 2026. The new Form I-129 (edition 02/27/2026) is mandatory. Premium processing ($2,805) gets a decision in 15 business days. Your LCA wage level must match your registration. If you are on OPT, cap-gap automatic extension protects you until October 1. Act NOW — do not wait until June.
| Date | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Receive selection notification | Check myUSCIS portal and email |
| IMMEDIATELY | Notify employer and immigration attorney | Begin gathering documents |
| March-April | Obtain certified LCA from DOL | Must match wage level from registration |
| April 1, 2026 | Filing window opens | Use NEW Form I-129 (02/27/2026 edition) |
| April 1-15 | File petition (recommended) | Premium processing recommended |
| June 30, 2026 | Filing window CLOSES | Petition must be received by this date |
| July-September | Petition adjudication | RFE possible — respond within 60 days |
| October 1, 2026 | H-1B status begins | Start employment in H-1B status |
| Company | H-1B Filings | Top Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 55,150 | Software Engineer, Data Engineer |
| Microsoft | 34,626 | Software Engineer, Program Manager |
| 33,416 | Software Engineer, Research Scientist | |
| Infosys | 32,840 | Technology Analyst, Systems Engineer |
| Tata | 28,950 | IT Consultant, Software Developer |
| Cognizant | 26,700 | Software Engineer, Business Analyst |
| Deloitte | 18,200 | Consultant, Advisory Manager |
| Apple | 15,800 | Software Engineer, ML Engineer |
| Meta | 14,900 | Software Engineer, Research Scientist |
| JPMorgan | 12,400 | Software Engineer, Quantitative Analyst |
The FY2027 lottery saw approximately 343,981 total registrations, down 27% from FY2026. This drop is largely attributed to USCIS's crackdown on duplicate registrations and the new beneficiary-centric system. The wage-weighted lottery, now in its second year, heavily favors higher-paying positions: Level 1 had just 15% odds, Level 2 had 31%, Level 3 had 46%, and Level 4 had 62%. If you were selected, your employer likely offered competitive wages.
Key changes for FY2027 petition filing: The new Form I-129 (edition 02/27/2026) is now mandatory — petitions filed on older editions will be rejected. The $100K fee applies only to consular processing, so F-1 OPT students filing Change of Status are exempt. Social media vetting expanded March 30, 2026, affects those processing at consulates. Premium processing remains available at $2,805 for a 15-business-day decision.
PERM processing continues at 503-day averages, which matters if your employer plans to start the green card process alongside your H-1B. Starting PERM early is critical given the 6-year H-1B limit.
USCIS released a new Form I-129 on February 27, 2026. Key changes: (1) New questions about beneficiary's social media handles. (2) Updated H Classification Supplement. (3) Additional questions about third-party worksite placement. (4) New attestation requirements for specialty occupation. (5) Increased filing fee to $780 (base) plus $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee, plus $150 ACWIA Fee (for employers with 26+ employees). Using the old form will result in automatic rejection.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →The filing window closes June 30, 2026. Filing in June is technically allowed but risky. If there are any issues (wrong form edition, missing documents, rejected payment), there is no time to refile. Strongly recommend filing in April. If your employer insists on June, ensure premium processing is included so you get a decision before October 1.
You MUST use the new Form I-129 edition dated 02/27/2026. Petitions filed on any older edition will be automatically rejected without refund of filing fees. Confirm with your attorney that they have the correct form. This is the most common avoidable rejection reason.
Yes, but the new employer must file a completely new H-1B petition with their own LCA and registration. Your current selection is tied to the employer who registered you. See our guide on changing employers after selection for the full process and risks.
Premium processing ($2,805) gives you a 15-business-day decision. It is strongly recommended if: (1) you are on OPT expiring soon, (2) you need certainty before October 1, (3) your case may receive an RFE. The only reason to skip premium is cost — and your employer typically pays. If self-funding, it is still worth it for peace of mind.