On December 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new rule to revise the H-1B cap-registration selection process. The new final rule replaces a purely random selection with a system that will increase the probability of selection for higher-paid foreign nationals.

The new framework will weigh entries based on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage levels I–IV. Registrations assigned to wage level IV will enter the H-1B lottery pool four times, while level III will enter three times, level II will enter twice, and level I will enter once. The new weighted selection process is predicted to decrease the probability of positions with wage level I from being selected by 48% and to increase the probability of selection by 3%, 55%, and 107% for wage levels II, III, and IV, respectively. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will require additional data during the H-1B registration process, including the proffered wage, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupation code, and employment area. Petitioners will also have to include this information, along with evidence supporting the asserted wage level, when filing the cap-subject petition. 

This final rule will be effective February 27, 2026, and will therefore apply to the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap registration period. 

Foster will provide additional updates on the H-1B cap registration and selection process via our firm’s website at www.fosterglobal.com.