USCIS has announced that it completed the initial registration and selection process for the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap — the first cap season conducted under the agency’s new wage-level-weighted selection process.
What changed. Under a DHS final rule that took effect February 27, 2026, USCIS no longer runs a purely random H-1B lottery when registrations exceed the cap. Instead, each registration receives between one and four entries into the selection pool based on the prevailing wage level (as determined by the Department of Labor) that the offered salary meets or exceeds. Higher-paid positions get more entries, increasing their odds of selection. Employers must identify the highest OEWS wage level the beneficiary’s proffered wage equals or exceeds for the relevant occupation. USCIS has framed the change as prioritizing higher-skilled, higher-paid workers while keeping opportunities open at all wage levels.
The numbers. The H-1B program remains capped at 65,000 new visas per fiscal year, plus 20,000 reserved for beneficiaries holding a U.S. master’s degree or higher (the advanced-degree exemption). USCIS confirmed it received enough registrations to reach the FY 2027 allocations, including the master’s cap. The cap-subject petition filing window for selected registrants runs through the spring and summer filing season.
More rulemaking on the way. In a recent notice, USCIS indicated it has published a temporary final rule amending H-1B program regulations, including additional changes to the registration process for future fiscal years — signaling that the H-1B selection framework will keep evolving.
What employers and beneficiaries should do. Sponsoring employers should review how the wage-weighted system affects their selection odds, ensure offered wages and SOC codes are accurately classified, and prepare petitions promptly once registrations are selected. Beneficiaries with advanced U.S. degrees and higher offered salaries are generally better positioned under the new rules.
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Source: LinkedIn - USCIS