March 27, 2026 -- Attorney tracking data shows Level 1 and Level 2 candidates ARE being selected. The release is mixed, not Level 4 only.
If you are a Level 1 or Level 2 H-1B candidate who has been anxiously watching Level 4 selections dominate the early FY2027 results, there is finally good news. As of March 27, 2026, attorney tracking networks are confirming that Level 1 and Level 2 candidates are appearing in today's selection batches. The pattern is mixed -- not the Level-4-first sequential release that many feared. This page tracks the real-time data as it emerges.
Level 1 candidates ARE being selected in the FY2027 lottery. Attorney tracking data from March 27, 2026 confirms selections across all four wage levels. The release pattern is mixed -- USCIS is not exclusively selecting Level 4 first. Level 1 odds remain 15% and Level 2 odds 31%, but confirmed selections prove the system is not zero for entry-level candidates.
| Wage Level | Est. Selection Rate | Confirmed Selections (Mar 27) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 ($130K+) | 62% | Majority of early selections | Heavy selection ongoing |
| Level 3 ($95K-$130K) | 46% | Significant selections appearing | Active selection ongoing |
| Level 2 ($70K-$95K) | 31% | Confirmed selections as of Mar 27 | Selections appearing |
| Level 1 ($50K-$70K) | 15% | Confirmed selections as of Mar 27 | Selections appearing |
The biggest fear among Level 1 and Level 2 candidates was that USCIS would select Level 4 candidates first, then Level 3, then Level 2, and finally Level 1 -- potentially running out of spots before reaching the lower wage levels. Attorney tracking data from March 27 proves this fear is unfounded. USCIS appears to be running the weighted lottery as a single draw, then releasing results in batches based on employer size and processing order -- not wage level.
This means the 15% selection rate for Level 1 is genuine. Out of approximately 343,981 total registrations, roughly 121,000 will be selected overall (35.3%). For Level 1 candidates, the math works out to approximately 1 in 7 being selected. That is not great odds, but it is not zero -- and the confirmed selections today prove the system is working as designed.
For candidates still showing "Submitted" status: do not give up hope yet. USCIS processes selections in employer-size batches, and smaller employers tend to appear later. If your employer registered fewer than 10 candidates, your results may not appear until March 28-31 or even early April. The pattern from March 22-26 showed larger employers (Amazon, Google, Infosys) first, followed by mid-size firms, with small employers and solo practitioners coming last.
See the FAQ section below.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →Real Level 1 selections have been confirmed by multiple immigration attorney tracking networks as of March 27, 2026. The wage-weighted system gives Level 1 a 15% selection rate -- low but not zero. With approximately 343,981 registrations, even 15% translates to thousands of Level 1 selections. The system runs as a weighted random draw, not a sequential pick from Level 4 down.
No. USCIS is releasing results in batches based on employer size, not wage level. If your employer is a small company with few registrations, your batch may not process until March 28-31 or early April. Level 1 candidates at small employers are statistically the last to see updates. Wait until at least April 7 before concluding you were not selected.
The wage-weighted lottery was designed by USCIS to prioritize higher-paying positions, under the theory that they represent more specialized roles. Whether it is fair is debatable -- many immigration advocates argue it disadvantages early-career professionals and certain industries. But 15% is still a real chance. For context, the old random lottery gave everyone about 25% odds, so Level 1 candidates are worse off under the new system while Level 3 and Level 4 candidates are better off.
The wage level is determined by the prevailing wage for the specific job title and location filed on the LCA. Your employer cannot arbitrarily assign a higher wage level -- it must match the actual job duties and offered salary. If your employer wants to register you at Level 2 or Level 3 next year, they would need to offer a higher salary that meets the threshold for that level in your specific geographic area. Artificially inflating the wage level is fraud and can result in denial and future immigration consequences.