H-1B Lottery Statistics FY 2027: The First Wage-Weighted Year
FY 2027 marks a historic shift in H-1B selection with the new wage-weighted lottery system. This page tracks registration numbers and selection rates by wage level.
Awaiting Official Data
USCIS typically releases official lottery statistics 2-3 months after selections.
This page will be updated with official FY 2027 data when available.
Current data below includes projections based on historical trends and the new weighted system.
FY 2027 Key Numbers
Understanding the Wage-Weighted System
FY 2027 is the first year where H-1B selection favors higher-paid workers. Instead of a pure random lottery, beneficiaries receive 1 to 4 entries based on their wage level:
| Wage Level | Entries | Percentile | Est. Selection Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1x | 17th percentile | ~9% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2x | 34th percentile | ~19% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3x | 50th percentile | ~28% |
| Level IV (Fully Competent) | 4x | 67th percentile | ~38% |
*Estimated selection rates based on historical H-1B wage level distribution. Actual rates depend on FY 2027 registrant composition. Official data expected Q2-Q3 2026.
Historical Lottery Statistics
| Fiscal Year | Registrations | Selected | Selection Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2027 | TBD | ~130K* | TBD | First wage-weighted year |
| FY 2026 | 470,342 | ~131,000 | 27.9% | Last random lottery |
| FY 2025 | 479,953 | ~130,000 | 27.1% | One-per-beneficiary rule |
| FY 2024 | 758,994 | 188,400 | 24.8% | Record registrations |
| FY 2023 | 483,927 | 127,600 | 26.4% | |
| FY 2022 | 308,613 | 131,970 | 42.8% | Multiple rounds |
| FY 2021 | 274,237 | 124,415 | 45.4% | COVID impact |
*USCIS typically selects more than 85,000 to account for denials and withdrawals.
Who Benefits from the Weighted System?
Winners
- • Big Tech employees - typically Level III-IV wages
- • Direct hire roles - higher salaries than consulting
- • Senior professionals - 5+ years experience
- • High-cost metro areas - salaries often exceed Level III
- • US advanced degree holders - double lottery entry + higher wages
Disadvantaged
- • IT consulting firms - often Level I-II wages
- • Entry-level workers - new grads at Level I
- • Lower-cost regions - even high performers may be Level I-II
- • Body shops - high-volume, low-wage model
What This Means for the H-1B Program
The wage-weighted system fundamentally changes who gets selected. Before FY 2027, a Level I worker at a consulting firm had the same odds as a Level IV worker at Google. Now, the Level IV worker has 4x better odds. This should shift H-1B approvals toward higher-skilled, higher-paid roles and reduce the proportion going to outsourcing firms.
Historical H-1B Wage Level Distribution
Based on our analysis of millions of H-1B filings, here's the typical wage level breakdown:
Source: H1BScope analysis of DOL LCA data, FY 2020-2025
If FY 2027 registrations follow this distribution, the weighted system would dramatically shift which workers get selected. Use our lottery calculator to see how your specific situation compares.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will official FY 2027 statistics be released?
USCIS typically releases lottery statistics 2-3 months after selections complete. For FY 2027, expect official numbers (total registrations, selections by wage level, etc.) by June-July 2026. We'll update this page as data becomes available.
Did registrations increase or decrease for FY 2027?
We don't have official FY 2027 numbers yet. Some predict lower registrations as the wage-weighted system may discourage Level I filings. Others expect steady numbers as employers adapt strategies. FY 2025-2026 saw ~470K registrations after the one-per-beneficiary rule eliminated duplicates.
How do I know what wage level I was registered at?
Your employer determined your wage level during registration based on the job's SOC code, work location, and offered salary compared to DOL prevailing wages. Ask your HR or immigration attorney what level was used in your registration. You can also use our calculator to estimate.
Will the weighted system reduce H-1B fraud?
The new system is designed to prioritize higher-skilled workers and reduce advantage for high-volume, low-wage petitioners. USCIS also stated it will scrutinize petitions where the filed wage level differs from registration or appears artificially inflated.