H-1B
H-1B lottery
Wage-level weighting, entries per level, FY 2021–2027 selection data and the expected March 2027 registration window for FY 2028.
How this tool works
Starting with the FY 2027 registration in March 2026, USCIS gives each eligible registration a number of entries based on the highest Department of Labor wage level the offered salary meets: four entries at Level IV, three at Level III, two at Level II and one at Level I. Each person still can be selected only once.
The estimator models this weighted draw for the regular cap, then a second round for the U.S. advanced-degree exemption. You can change the total registrations, the number of selections and how registrations are spread across wage levels. Defaults use the latest published figures where available and clearly labeled assumptions where USCIS has not published data.
This is an estimate, not a prediction. USCIS has not published odds by wage level, and actual results depend on how many people register next year.
Read our H-1B lottery guide and H-1B guide. If your odds look low, the work visa finder shows other options to explore.
Frequently asked questions
How many entries does each wage level get?
Under the weighted selection rule, a registration gets four entries at wage Level IV, three at Level III, two at Level II and one at Level I, based on the offered wage for the job and location. If the job covers several areas, the lowest level among them is used, and each person can still be selected only once.
Does a U.S. master's degree still help?
Yes. People with a U.S. master's degree or higher are first included in the regular cap selection and, if not selected, get a second chance in the 20,000-visa advanced-degree selection. Both rounds use the wage weighting, so the offered wage still matters for master's degree holders.
When is the next H-1B registration?
USCIS usually opens registration in March for the next fiscal year. The FY 2027 window ran from March 4 to March 19, 2026. Dates for the FY 2028 registration had not been announced as of October 28, 2026; we expect it in March 2027, but treat that as an estimate until USCIS confirms.
Is this H-1B odds calculator accurate?
It is an estimate, not a prediction. USCIS had not published FY 2027 selection rates by wage level as of October 28, 2026, so the defaults combine published registration totals with the model DHS used in its December 2025 final rule. Your real odds depend on how many people register at each wage level next March.
Official sources
General information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change and every case is different; talk to a qualified immigration attorney about your situation. USVisa.com is not a government website. Spot an error? Tell us.
