Major changes are coming to the H-1B lottery in calendar year 2026 (for Fiscal Year 2027). The
most significant shift is the end of the purely random lottery, replaced by a wage-weighted
selection system designed to prioritize higher-paid, high-skilled workers.

Key Dates & Deadlines

-Registration Period: Opens March 4, 2026 (12:00 PM EST) and closes March 19,
2026 (12:00 PM EST).

-Selection Notification: USCIS aims to notify selected registrants by March 31, 2026.

-Petition Filing Window: Selected employers can file full H-1B petitions starting April 1,
2026, for at least 90 days.

-Employment Start Date: Approved petitions will take effect on October 1, 2026.

The New “Weighted” Selection System

Starting with this season, your odds are directly tied to the offered wage level based on
Department of Labor data:

-Level IV (Highest): 4 entries in the selection pool.

-Level III: 3 entries in the selection pool.

-Level II: 2 entries in the selection pool.

-Level I (Entry-level): 1 entry in the selection pool.

Cost and Fees

-Registration Fee: A non-refundable $215 fee is required for each electronic registration.
Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P.  Attorneys at Law
6931 Arlington Road, Suite 450· Bethesda, Maryland 20814· Phone: 240-583-0003· Fax: 240-583-0013

-The “$100,000 Fee”: Under a 2025 Presidential Proclamation, a $100,000 fee applies to
new H-1B petitions for beneficiaries outside the U.S. or those requesting consular
notification.

-Exemption: This fee typically does not apply to change-of-status filings for workers
already in the U.S. (e.g., F-1 OPT students).

Summary of Odds (USCIS Estimates)

Wage Level Past Selection RateNew Estimated Odds
Level 1 ~29.59% ~15.29%
Level 2 ~29.59% ~30.58%
Level 3 ~29.59% ~45.87%
Level 4 ~29.59% ~61.16%

Source: USCIS Predictive Analysis.