Overview
- Homeland Security finalized the rule on December 23, with the weighted selection to take effect February 27, 2026 for the FY2027 registration cycle.
- USCIS says the change targets abuses of the random lottery and emphasizes higher wages and qualifications, while noting employers may still file at all salary levels.
- Google, Apple and Microsoft have advised staff on H‑1B and related visas to avoid international travel as wait times for visa stamping have stretched to as long as 12 months.
- U.S. embassies and consulates are conducting deeper reviews, including up to five years of social‑media history, leading to canceled or rescheduled interviews into 2026.
- The program remains capped at 65,000 visas plus 20,000 for U.S. master’s degree holders, with 2025 demand exceeding 470,000 petitions and large tech firms among the biggest users.