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Policy Update: New H-1B Lottery favors higher wages for FY2027 as court blocks $100,000 fee

The US began a wage weighted H-1B selection on October 1, 2026, while a second federal judge blocked the $100,000 entry fee. President Trump has extended that fee for another year.

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Policy Update: New H-1B Lottery favors higher wages for FY2027 as court blocks $100,000 fee
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For those hoping to work in the United States on H-1B visas, including F-1 students planning to switch status, now face a new selection system and a fast changing set of rules. The US began using a wage-weighted H-1B lottery on October 1,2026, the start of fiscal year 2027 (FY 2027).

How the new lottery works

The Department of Homeland Security(DHS) issued the final rule for the new system on February 27,2026. Selection is still random but each registration is weighted by the wage level of the job offered, based on OEWS wage levels. Higher-paid jobs get more entries in the draw.

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