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Statistics

Annual Caps for H-1B for Fiscal Years: 85,000 visas

  • 65,000 visas
  • 20,000 visas for the master’s cap*

The master’s cap – individuals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.

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FAQ: H-1B Electronic Registration Process

8 FAQs on H-1B electronic registration, Form I-129 filing, notifications, duplicates, and payments.

Allegra Meriare
Write by: Allegra Meriare
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Whether you’re new to the H-1B system or coordinating multiple registrations, this FAQ highlights the questions applicants and employers often face during the H-1B Electronic Registration Process.

Key Takeaways

  • USCIS uses UTC for all timestamps.
  • Registrants need an H-1B organizational account.
  • Payment must succeed for registration to count.
  • Typos usually won’t cause automatic rejection.

1. What time zone does the H-1B registration system and online Form I-129 filing process use?

USCIS uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) for all H-1B registrations and online Form I-129 submissions. This means your receipt date and time are determined strictly by UTC - not your local time zone. Because UTC differences can cause unexpected “next-day” timestamps - always submit earlier in your local time to avoid UTC-based surprises.

⏰ How UTC affects your H-1B registration timestamp. Here is how a sample 14:00 UTC timestamp converts across popular locations:

🌎 UTC Time Conversion (14:00 UTC)

Location / RegionLocal TimeOffset
New York (ET)09:00UTC-5
Chicago (CT)08:00UTC-6
Los Angeles (PT)06:00UTC-8
Singapore / China (CST)22:00UTC+8
Newfoundland10:30UTC-3:30
Central Europe (Germany, Italy, Netherlands)15:00UTC+1
Turkey (TRT)17:00UTC+3
UAE18:00UTC+4
India (IST)19:30UTC+5:30
Thailand (ICT)21:00UTC+7
Argentina11:00UTC-3

2. What is the earliest date I can start preparing H-1B registrations?

For the FY 2027 H-1B cap, USCIS will open the H-1B electronic registration period in March 2026. Exact dates are typically announced in January or February. Employers and attorneys can prepare organizational accounts and beneficiary information in advance, but registrations cannot be submitted until the official window opens.

3. What start date should I enter on the Form I-129 after my H-1B registration is selected?

If your H-1B registration is selected, the Form I-129 must list a start date of October 1 (or later) of the applicable fiscal year. USCIS will reject or deny any petition that lists a start date earlier than October 1 or more than six months after the petition’s receipt date. This is a common and avoidable filing mistake.

4. Will USCIS reject my Form I-129 if the registration contains a typo?

USCIS does not automatically reject Form I-129 petitions due to minor typos in the H-1B registration. However, the employer must still prove that the petition corresponds to a valid, selected registration for the same beneficiary. Any discrepancies - such as spelling errors, date errors, or mis-entered passport information - should be corrected in the petition with clear and consistent documentation.

5. How does USCIS treat duplicate H-1B petitions under the new registration system?

Duplicate H-1B filings are still not allowed. Employers and related entities may not file more than one H-1B petition for the same beneficiary in the same fiscal year’s cap. Submitting duplicates leads to denial of all petitions for that beneficiary. USCIS continues to enforce this rule under the updated electronic registration system.

6. Do both the employer and the attorney need USCIS online accounts for H-1B registration?

Yes. Both the prospective registrant (employer) and the attorney must maintain USCIS online accounts.

  • Attorneys use their existing legal representative accounts.

  • Employers must create an H-1B organizational account in order to review and approve Form G-28 and all submitted H-1B registrations. Without both accounts, the registration cannot be submitted.

7. How will the registrant be notified after the attorney submits a registration - by email or through their account?

The legal representative should notify the registrant that the registration and Form G-28 are ready for review, or the registrant can check them by logging into their USCIS account. The USCIS system does not send separate notifications.

8. What happens if my H-1B registration payment fails or is canceled?

If the Pay.gov payment fails, is canceled, or does not fully process, the H-1B registration is not submitted. USCIS simply saves the registration data in your account for 30 days, allowing you to retry payment as long as the registration window remains open. The registration is considered incomplete until both the submission and the payment are successfully processed before the USCIS deadline.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, HR, or business advice. H-1B sponsorship, wage, LCA, public access file, fee, worksite, amendment, and compliance obligations depend on the employer’s facts and current agency rules. Employers should verify the latest USCIS and Department of Labor guidance and consult a qualified immigration attorney before filing or taking compliance action.

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