02/18/2026
The H-1B lottery just changed. Higher wages now mean higher odds.
Starting March 4, employers registering for H-1B visas will compete in a wage-weighted lottery for the first time. Companies offering Level III or IV wages for specialized roles—software engineers, data scientists, biostatisticians—now have materially better selection odds than those offering entry-level wages.
What this means for your hiring strategy:
→ That machine learning engineer or biostatistician role? If you can offer a competitive wage, your chances just improved significantly.
→ Registration details now matter more than ever—SOC codes, wage levels, and work locations must align perfectly with your eventual petition.
→ The "spray and pray" approach is over. Strategic, well-structured filings win.
If you're planning to sponsor H-1B talent this cycle (March 4-19 registration window), now is the time to assess your wage positioning and registration strategy.
Planning to sponsor H-1B this year? Reply READY and we'll send you our FREE FY2027 H-1B Employer Guide.
Law Office of Patavee Vanadilok, P.C.
+1 (314) 499-9234
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