USCIS Reports High H-1B Visa Selection Rates Following Overhaul of Salary-Based Selection System
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has completed the FY 2027 H-1B lottery, reporting a high selection rate of approximately 75% for applicants already residing in the U.S. The new system prioritizes higher salary brackets, significantly benefiting employees of major tech companies. However, small businesses face increased costs, with some fees reaching $100,000.
Key Facts
- Visa Category / H-1B : Specialty occupation visa
- Selection Rate / FY 2027 : Hits 75%
- Primary Change / Criteria : Salary-based selection
- Economic Impact / Cost : Small biz fees up to $100,000
The recent overhaul of the H-1B selection process prioritizes higher salary brackets. This change has disproportionately benefited Indian professionals already in the U.S. on OPT or other temporary statuses.
- Selection Rate: Hit a high of 75% due to new filtering criteria.
- Cost Burden: Small businesses have reported a 15% drop in applications as the cost of sponsorship has surged, with total fees for certain categories nearing $100,000.
- FY 2027 Cycle: The filing window is now open for those selected in the preliminary lottery.
For India, which remains the largest source of H-1B applicants, these changes increase the odds for high-earning IT professionals but create a significant barrier for startups and smaller consulting firms.
Glossary
Term: H-1B Visa. A non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
Term: USCIS. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States.
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