The US is set to shift the selection method for H-1B visas toward more advantageous employment from October 1, 2026, giving more points to those with higher wages. The new system will be used in the FY27 H-1B cap, and will be based on wages instead of an equal-weight lottery.
The new system will allocate a number of registrations according to the salary requirements for the position being filled. Under the new system, H-1B registrations will receive a limited number of entries to the selection pool, depending on the salary requirement for the job being offered. Higher wage levels will receive more entries, increasing their chances of selection, while workers at the lowest wage level will remain eligible for the lottery.
