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The New Wage Rule and the $100K Proclamation Will Shape the 2026 H‑1B Cap Season

USCIS opened the FY 2027 H‑1B cap registration window for March 4‑19, 2026, requiring online registration and a $215 fee per entry. The season will be dominated by a new wage‑weighted lottery that assigns multiple entries to higher wage levels (Level II‑IV) versus a single entry for Level I. A September 2025 presidential proclamation adds a $100,000 fee to cap‑subject petitions that need consular processing, while change‑of‑status filings remain exempt. Employers are expected to raise wages, favor senior roles, and shift toward U.S.-based candidates to avoid the steep fee.