From April 1, 2026, USCIS will roll out major H-1B updates, including stricter form requirements, higher costs, and greater scrutiny. Most notably, the selection process will shift toward a wage-based system that prioritizes higher salaries and specific skills. Officials say the goal is to better match allocations to labor market needs and spur domestic hiring.
USCIS has wrapped up H-1B selection for FY2027, fully filling the 85,000 annual quota. Employers have been informed and petition filings will open April 1, 2026. The biggest shift: a weighted lottery that favors higher wage offers, replacing the older random selection approach—meaning pay could now decide who gets in.
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