US Overhauls H-1B Lottery: Wage-Based System Prioritizes Higher-Paid Workers from FY2027

• US to replace random H-1B lottery with a wage-weighted selection model starting FY2027, prioritizing higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign workers.
• The new system assigns more entries based on wage levels: Level IV gets 4 entries, Level III 3, Level II 2, and Level I 1, significantly improving selection odds for higher salaries.
• Indians, who receive 70-75% of H-1B visas, will be significantly impacted, with the change favoring experienced professionals and specialized talent over entry-level roles.
• DHS aims to align H-1B visas with skill and economic value, addressing demand-supply mismatch and reducing wage suppression risks for US workers.
• Stricter compliance rules require employers to declare wage levels and job details at registration, with USCIS gaining authority to deny petitions for manipulation.

Why It Matters: H-1B lottery shifts to wage-based selection, favoring higher-paid roles and impacting Indian professionals.