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ARTICLE · 05 JANUARY 2026

U.S. To Prioritize Higher Wages In New H-1B Selection Process

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With the year end approaching, the DHS announced the impending implementation of a weighted selection process for cap-subject H-1B petitions to take effect on Feb. 27, 2026 in advance of the H-1B registration season...

United StatesImmigration
Mandira Sethi
Mandira Sethi
Sarah J. Hawk
Sarah J. Hawk
Tieranny Cutler
Tieranny Cutler
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Highlights

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the weighted selection process for cap-subject H-1B petitions will take effect on Feb. 27, 2026.
  • The new process marks the third major shift to the H-1B visa lottery in the last decade.
  • Through weighted selection, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid H-1B registrants, increasing the difficulty of an employer obtaining an H-1B visa for an entry-level position.

With the year end approaching, the DHS announced the impending implementation of a weighted selection process for cap-subject H-1B petitions to take effect on Feb. 27, 2026 in advance of the H-1B registration season for Fiscal Year 2027.

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