The FY2027 H-1B cap registration window is expected to open in early March 2026 — and this cycle is unlike any before it. Effective February 27, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security’s final rule (Federal Register Doc. 2025-23853) replaces the purely random lottery with a wage-weighted selection process. For F-1 students on OPT or STEM OPT, this rule changes the landscape significantly. Preparation is no longer optional — it is essential.
At Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC, we have guided foreign nationals and their employers through every major shift in U.S. immigration policy. Here is what every F-1 student and their sponsoring employer must have in order before registration opens.
Understand the New Weighted System
Under the final rule, USCIS assigns each beneficiary a number of lottery entries based on the Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage levels for the offered position and geographic area:
- Level I (entry-level): 1 lottery entry
- Level II (qualified): 2 lottery entries
- Level III (experienced): 3 lottery entries
- Level IV (fully competent): 4 lottery entries
The practical consequence for F-1 students is significant. Many entry-level or early-career positions historically offered at Level I wages will now carry lower selection odds than in prior years. Understanding where your offered position falls on this scale is the first step.
Your Last-Minute Checklist
1. Confirm Your OPT/STEM OPT Status and Timeline
Verify that your OPT or STEM OPT authorization will remain valid through the registration window and beyond. Confirm your EAD card expiration date and any pending STEM OPT extension filings with your Designated School Official (DSO).
2. Verify Your Employer’s Registration Readiness
Your employer — not you — files the registration. Confirm that your employer has a myUSCIS organizational account in good standing. Discuss the registration timeline with your HR or immigration point of contact well in advance of the March opening.
3. Determine Your Position’s OEWS Wage Level
Work with your employer and immigration counsel to identify the correct Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for your role, the applicable OEWS prevailing wage for your work location, and which wage level (I–IV) your offered salary meets or exceeds. This determination directly affects your lottery odds and must be accurate.
4. Ensure Registration-to-Petition Consistency
Under the new rule, the SOC code, wage level, and area of intended employment listed at registration must match the Labor Condition Application (LCA) and H-1B petition filed after selection. Discrepancies may lead to denial or revocation. Confirm these details in writing with your employer before submission.
5. Confirm the $215 Registration Fee
The non-refundable registration fee remains $215 per beneficiary. Ensure your employer is prepared to pay this fee during the registration window, which runs from approximately March 4 through March 19, 2026.
6. Consider Your Advanced Degree Advantage
F-1 students who hold a U.S. master’s degree or higher are eligible for the advanced degree exemption — an additional 20,000 visas reserved for U.S. master’s-cap registrants. If you qualify, confirm that your employer will register you under this category, as the two-stage selection process further improves your odds when combined with a higher wage level.
7. Consult Immigration Counsel Now
Registration errors under the new system carry consequences that did not exist under the prior random lottery. The time to review your situation is before the window opens, not after.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Estimated Date |
|---|---|
| Weighted Lottery Rule Effective | February 27, 2026 |
| FY2027 Registration Window Opens | March 4, 2026 |
| Registration Window Closes | March 19, 2026 |
| USCIS Selections Announced | By March 31, 2026 |
| H-1B Petition Filing Period | April 1 – June 30, 2026 |
| H-1B Employment Start Date | October 1, 2026 |
Ahluwalia Law Offices, PC represents clients nationally from its Dallas, Texas office. If you have questions about your H-1B registration or immigration status, we welcome your inquiry. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice, and outcomes depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.
FAQ Section
Q: Does the wage-weighted lottery affect F-1 OPT workers differently than other applicants?
A: The weighting applies equally to all cap-subject H-1B registrants. However, F-1 OPT workers are more likely to be offered Level I or Level II positions, which carry fewer lottery entries and lower selection odds under the new system compared to prior years.
Q: What happens if my employer registers me at the wrong wage level?
A: Inaccurate wage level designations may create inconsistencies between the registration and the subsequent LCA and H-1B petition, potentially resulting in a denial or revocation. USCIS has reserved the authority to deny or revoke petitions where it determines a wage level was inflated to manipulate selection.
Q: Can multiple employers register me to improve my odds?
A: No. Under the beneficiary-centric system, USCIS assigns each beneficiary the lowest wage level among all registrations submitted on their behalf. Multiple registrations do not increase your entries; they can only reduce your effective wage level.
Q: I have a U.S. master’s degree. Does that still help?
A: Yes. The advanced degree exemption remains in place. You are first entered into the 20,000 master’s-cap pool, and if not selected there, into the general 65,000-cap pool. Combined with a higher wage level, this creates a meaningful advantage.
Q: Is legal counsel required for H-1B registration?
A: It is not legally required, but it is strongly advisable — particularly under the new weighted system, where accuracy at the registration stage directly affects both selection odds and petition integrity. An experienced immigration attorney can help you and your employer navigate wage level analysis, SOC code selection, and compliance requirements.
Sources: Federal Register Doc. 2025-23853 (Dec. 29, 2025); USCIS H-1B Cap Season Guidance; U.S. Department of Labor OEWS Data
