Overview
- DHS and USCIS finalized a rule that replaces the random H‑1B draw with a weighted process favoring higher‑paid, higher‑skilled applicants, effective Feb. 27, 2026 for the FY2027 cap season.
- Statutory caps remain 65,000 visas plus 20,000 for U.S. advanced‑degree holders, with selection probabilities shifting based on offered wages and job characteristics.
- The State Department began global online‑presence reviews for all H‑1B and H‑4 applicants on Dec. 15, leading U.S. consulates in India to push hundreds of interviews back by months and leaving many travelers stranded.
- Major tech employers, including Amazon, Google, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft, have advised employees to avoid international travel due to mounting delays and rescheduled consular appointments.
- The administration’s $100,000 employer fee for certain H‑1B applications has been upheld by a federal judge, and experts say the combined changes will likely disadvantage entry‑level candidates and disproportionately affect Indian nationals.