US H-1B Visa: Weighted Lottery to Favor Higher-Skilled Workers

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new rule for H-1B work visas, replacing the random lottery with a weighted selection process. Effective February 27, 2026, this change prioritizes higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign workers to protect American jobs and wages. It will impact the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration season.

• DHS replaces random H-1B lottery with weighted selection process.
• New rule prioritizes higher-skilled, higher-paid foreign workers.
• Aims to protect American workers' wages and job opportunities.
• Effective February 27, 2026, for FY2027 cap registration season.
• Beneficiaries entered multiple times based on wage levels.
• Impacts Indian professionals significantly due to high H-1B reliance.

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