H-1B registration for FY 2028: what to expect

When will FY 2028 registration open?

Not announced yet. For FY 2027, registration ran from noon Eastern on March 4 to noon on March 19, 2026, and USCIS announced on March 31 that it had selected enough registrations. Expect a similar March window for FY 2028, and check USCIS for the official dates, usually announced a few weeks ahead.

How did the FY 2027 season run?

What happened to the $100,000 fee?

A September 2025 proclamation imposed a $100,000 payment on new H-1B petitions for workers outside the United States. It does not generally apply to people already in the U.S. changing status, such as F-1 students. The proclamation was extended in September 2026, but as of mid-October 2026 courts have blocked its collection: a Massachusetts court vacated it in June 2026, and a California court issued an injunction on September 30, 2026. Appeals are ongoing and the situation can change quickly, so check the current status before relying on it.

What should I do now?

• Confirm your SOC code and worksite with your employer. Both decide your wage level.
• Check your level and the gap to the next one with the calculator.
• Talk about salary early. A raise that crosses a threshold before registration adds an entry.
• Watch two pending items: the DOL proposed wage rule and the $100,000 fee litigation.

Check your own level

Sources

• USCIS: FY 2027 registration period opens March 4
• USCIS: H-1B electronic registration process
• Fragomen: $100,000 fee extended, but currently vacated by court order
• Forbes: judge strikes down latest version of the $100,000 fee
• Business Standard: FY 2027 registrations down, more higher-degree selections

Not legal advice. Confirm your situation with your employer or an immigration attorney.