Starting February 27, 2026, the H-1B visa lottery no longer picks winners randomly. DHS has switched to a salary-weighted selection system \u2014 meaning higher-paid job offers now have significantly better odds of being selected. Here is everything you need to know before the FY 2027 registration window closes March 19.<\/p>\n
What Happened
\nThe Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule amending the H-1B visa selection process to prioritize higher-skilled, higher-paid workers. The rule took effect February 27, 2026, and applies to the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration season, which opened March 4 and runs through March 19, 2026.<\/p>\n
Previously, H-1B registrations were selected through a purely random lottery. The new weighted system increases the probability of selection for petitions offering wages at higher prevailing wage levels.<\/p>\n
How the New Weighted System Works
\nUSCIS uses the Department of Labor’s four-tier prevailing wage system:<\/p>\n
Level I (Entry): Wages at the lower end \u2014 lowest selection weight
\nLevel II (Qualified): Wages around the average for the occupation
\nLevel III (Experienced): Wages above average
\nLevel IV (Fully Competent): Wages at the top of the range \u2014 highest selection probability
\nWhat This Means for Skilled Workers
\nYour chances of selection are higher if your offered salary is competitive
\nYour employer’s offered wage matters more now \u2014 discuss salary in the context of H-1B selection odds
\nFY 2027 registration closes March 19, 2026 \u2014 your employer must act now
\nHow to Apply
\nH-1B requires employer sponsorship. Workers cannot self-petition. Steps:<\/p>\n
Employer registers during the USCIS online registration period (March 4\u201319 for FY 2027)
\nUSCIS conducts weighted selection and notifies selected registrants
\nEmployer files full H-1B petition (Form I-129) within the filing window
\nUSCIS adjudicates \u2014 premium processing available for faster decisions
\nMore info at uscis.gov.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcbc Working on a Visa? File Your Taxes Correctly
\nH-1B visa holders have specific tax filing requirements including reporting worldwide income. TurboTax guides you through each step and finds deductions you may be missing.<\/p>\n
File Taxes Correctly \u2192
\nFrequently Asked Questions
\nIf I was not selected for FY 2026, can I register again for FY 2027?
\nYes. Each fiscal year’s registration is separate. Your employer can register again during March 4\u201319, 2026.<\/p>\n
Does the cap apply to all H-1B petitions?
\nNo. Petitions filed by universities and nonprofit research institutions are exempt from the annual cap.<\/p>\n
What if my employer won’t offer a higher salary?
\nYou can discuss this, but employers are not required to offer higher wages solely for lottery purposes. If not selected, try again next fiscal year.<\/p>\n
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services \u2014 uscis.gov. Updated March 16, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Starting February 27, 2026, the H-1B visa lottery no longer picks winners randomly. DHS has switched to a salary-weighted selection system \u2014 meaning higher-paid job offers now have significantly better odds of being selected. Here is everything you need to know before the FY 2027 registration window closes March 19. What Happened The Department of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-jobs"],"yoast_head":"\n