The fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap lottery registration window will open on March 4 and run through March 19, 2026. A total of 85,000 slots are available annually, including 20,000 reserved for foreign nationals with a U.S. master’s or higher degree. Because demand exceeds supply, USCIS conducts a lottery each year to determine which candidates may apply for an H-1B visa.