FY 2027 Cap Rule: The Department of Homeland Security finalized the H-1B wage-weighted selection rule. Under this policy, USCIS prioritizes cap registration selection based on the Department of Labor (DOL) prevailing wage levels (Level 1 to Level 4) associated with the position.
Lottery Odds Estimator
Select your job category and intended prevailing wage level to estimate selection likelihood under the new rules.
Estimated Results:
Estimated Odds
30% - 40%
Non-Selection RiskMedium
Moderate selection rate. Level 2 candidates are subject to a lottery for the remaining spots after Levels 4 and 3 are filled.
How the System Works
Instead of a randomized lottery for all submissions, USCIS sorts registrations starting from Level 4 down to Level 1.
| DOL Wage Level | Percentile Target | USCIS Selection Priority | Typical Candidate Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | 67th Percentile | 1st Priority (Highest) | Directors, Principals, highly specialized Leads. |
| Level 3 | 50th Percentile (Median) | 2nd Priority | Senior Engineers, experienced individual contributors. |
| Level 2 | 34th Percentile | 3rd Priority | Mid-level professionals, developers with 2-4 years experience. |
| Level 1 | 17th Percentile | 4th Priority (Lowest) | New college graduates, interns, entry-level associates. |
Important Disclaimer: While higher wage levels improve odds, offering a level higher than the job duties warrant can result in a Request for Evidence (RFE) for specialty occupation compliance or wage level mismatch. Consult with qualified legal counsel when drafting petitions.