The H-1B visa system in the US has gone through a major change.
Under the Trump administration, the process has shifted from a random lottery to a wage-based selection model.
This change has made it much harder for entry-level applicants, while higher-paid professionals now have a better chance of being selected.
At the same time, USCIS has officially announced the registration dates for the H-1B visa cap for 2027, making this an important update for employers and foreign workers.
H-1B Registration Dates and Fees for 2027
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will open the first registration window for the 2027 H-1B visa cap on March 4 at 12 noon ET.
The window will close on March 19 at 12 noon ET.
During this period, employers or their authorised representatives must register each candidate online using a USCIS account.
Registrations submitted outside this window will not be considered.
Each registration will cost $215 per applicant.
Only those selected through this process can move forward with a full H-1B petition.
How the New Wage-Based Selection System Works
This is the first year USCIS will use a wage-weighted selection system if registrations exceed the annual visa limit.
Earlier, every registration had an equal chance in a random lottery.
Under the new rules, higher-paying jobs get more entries, while lower-paying jobs get fewer.
This means salary level now plays a direct role in selection chances.
Here’s how the new system affects different wage levels:
Wage Level IV: 4 entries, selection chances increase by 107%
Wage Level III: 3 entries, chances increase by 55%
Wage Level II: 2 entries, chances increase by 3%
Wage Level I: 1 entry, chances drop by nearly 50%
Entry-level applicants, usually placed in Wage Level I, are the most affected by this change.
Why Entry-Level Applicants Are Struggling
According to experts, only Wage Level I applicants have seen a sharp fall in selection chances.
Under the old system, everyone had roughly a 30% chance of being selected.
Now, higher-paid roles benefit the most, while fresh graduates and lower-paid workers face tougher odds.
The system is designed to prioritise specialised and higher-wage jobs.
On top of this, the introduction of a $100,000 fee for certain overseas H-1B filings has made the visa even more difficult to access for entry-level workers and smaller employers.
H-1B Visa Cap Remains the Same
Despite these major changes, the total number of H-1B visas has not increased.
The annual cap remains:
65,000 regular H-1B visas
20,000 additional visas for applicants with a US master’s degree or higher
The wage-based model only changes how applications are selected, not how many visas are issued.
When Employers Will Get Selection Results
After the registration window closes, USCIS will run the selection process.
Employers whose registrations are selected will be notified through their USCIS accounts by March 31.
Selected employers can then file full H-1B petitions starting April 1.
These petitions must usually be submitted within a 90-day filing window.
Bigger Picture: Tighter Control on H-1B Visas
This year’s H-1B registration comes as the US government continues to tighten control over the programme.
The focus is on reducing misuse, cutting dependence on foreign labour, and encouraging companies to offer higher wages.
For entry-level workers, the path to an H-1B visa has clearly become more challenging, while experienced and higher-paid professionals now stand a much better chance.
