US shifts H-1B selection to higher-paid, skilled applicants
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Washington — The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that it will replace the H-1B random lottery with a weighted, nationwide selection system that prioritizes higher-skilled, higher-paid applicants, effective Feb. 27, 2026 for the fiscal 2027 registration season. The rule, DHS said, aims to protect wages and working conditions for American workers and will weight registrations by skill and pay. USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser described prior exploitation of the lottery by employers seeking lower-paid foreign hires. A federal judge on Dec. 23 also rejected a legal challenge to the administration’s $100,000 H-1B fee. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
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Timeline
- 1. Early 2025: Presidential proclamation introduced a $100,000 H-1B fee and a $1M 'gold card' concept.
- 2. Mid–late 2025: Legal and industry challenges filed against the fee and related immigration measures.
- 3. Dec. 23, 2025: DHS/USCIS announced a rule replacing the H-1B random lottery with a weighted selection system.
- 4. Dec. 23, 2025: US District Judge Beryl Howell rejected the US Chamber of Commerce challenge to the $100,000 fee.
- 5. Feb. 27, 2026: The new H-1B rule takes effect for the fiscal 2027 registration season; registrations expected March 2026.
Sources
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