{"id":12161,"date":"2026-02-05T10:00:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/?post_type=resources&p=12161"},"modified":"2026-02-19T11:53:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T16:53:53","slug":"fy2027-h-1b-cap-lottery-answering-employers-frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/us\/resources\/hr-compliance\/immigration\/fy2027-h-1b-cap-lottery-answering-employers-frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"FY2027 H-1B Cap Lottery: answering employers’ frequently asked questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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by Taylor Lewellyn, JD, <\/strong>Brightmine Legal Editor<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In recent months, the Trump administration has implemented several major changes to overhaul the H-1B visa registration and selection process. Beginning in September 2025, employers seeking to hire certain nonimmigrant foreign nationals working in specialty occupations under the H-1B program are required to pay a hefty  $100,000 administrative fee<\/a>. Also in effect for the FY2027 H-1B cap registration season, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will replace the existing random lottery for allocating cap-subject H-1B visas with a weighted selection process<\/a> that increases the odds of selection for beneficiaries with higher wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the face of these significant developments, employers have numerous questions about the new wage-weighted selection process, how the new method favors large employers and how HR and business leaders can prepare and remain compliant heading into the next fiscal year. Our Brightmine experts are pleased to guide you through the answers to a few of these frequently asked questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>What should HR leaders\u00a0be aware of\u00a0as the new weighted selection process\u00a0takes effect on February 27, 2026?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A:\u00a0<\/strong>The revised method of H-1B quota allocation is based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Wage Levels.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beneficiaries registered for the H-1B cap lottery will be entered into the selection pool using a weighted system as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n