El USCIS concluye el sorteo de plazas H-1B para el año fiscal 2027 con un nuevo sistema de selección basado en los salarios

Kris Quadros-Ragar • April 9, 2026

 Click here to read this article in English


El Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS por sus siglas en inglés) ha concluido el sorteo anual de plazas H-1B para el año fiscal 2027, y los empleadores y representantes legales ya pueden consultar los resultados de la selección a través de sus portales de registro.


Volumen de registro y límites máximos


Las solicitudes presentadas por los empleadores durante el plazo de inscripción superaron el cupo disponible, que incluye:


  • 65000 puestos dentro del cupo estándar de visados H-1B
  • 20000 plazas adicionales reservadas para personas con títulos de posgrado estadounidenses


El USCIS aún no ha publicado cifras concretas sobre el número total de inscripciones recibidas.


Nuevo sistema de lotería ponderado por el salario


Un cambio significativo este año es la implantación por parte del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de un método de selección basado en el salario, que sustituye al anterior sistema de lotería aleatoria. Este nuevo enfoque da prioridad a los candidatos a los que se les ofrece una remuneración más elevada, según el marco salarial vigente de cuatro niveles establecido por las Estadísticas de Empleo y Salarios por Ocupación (OEWS por sus siglas en inglés) del Departamento de Trabajo.


Estado de la selección y próximos pasos


Solo los beneficiarios con el estado «Seleccionado» para el año fiscal 2027 pueden ser objeto de una solicitud de visado H-1B por parte de sus futuros empleadores. Las inscripciones no seleccionadas que mantengan el estado «Enviada» seguirán siendo elegibles para posibles rondas de sorteo futuras, en caso de que el USCIS realice selecciones adicionales.


Posibilidad de celebrar más sorteos


En caso de que el USCIS no reciba suficientes solicitudes H-1B para beneficiarios únicos que permitan alcanzar el límite anual de 85000 antes del 30 de junio, podrían realizarse sorteos adicionales. La probabilidad de que esto ocurra depende del número de solicitudes seleccionadas inicialmente y de las tasas posteriores de presentación y aprobación de las solicitudes.


El contexto histórico muestra patrones variables: el año fiscal 2026 contó con una ronda de sorteo, mientras que los años fiscales 2024 y 2025 incluyeron cada uno dos rondas con plazos de presentación separados de 90 días. El impacto del nuevo sistema basado en los salarios y de la tasa de notificación consular de 100000 dólares en las tasas de presentación de solicitudes sigue siendo incierto.


Plazos y requisitos para la presentación


El USCIS aceptará solicitudes de visados H-1B sujetas al límite máximo a partir del 1 de abril de 2026, con fecha límite de presentación el 30 de junio de 2026 para los solicitantes seleccionados en el sorteo inicial.


Los nuevos requisitos de documentación exigen que las solicitudes incluyan los documentos originales que respalden la determinación del nivel salarial del OEWS utilizada durante el registro.


Aspectos que requieren una respuesta rápida


Algunos casos requieren una presentación urgente dentro del plazo establecido. Por ejemplo, los estudiantes con visado F-1 cuya autorización de Prácticas Opcionales (OPT por sus siglas en inglés) caduque antes del 30 de junio deben presentar sus solicitudes de cambio de estatus antes de que expire su OPT para conservar los beneficios de la autorización de trabajo durante el «cap-gap» (tiempo intermedio entre el cambio de estatus).


Las organizaciones deben colaborar con un asesor en materia de inmigración para identificar a los beneficiarios que requieran una presentación prioritaria.


Tasa de tramitación consular de 100000 dólares


Los empleadores se enfrentan a una nueva y considerable carga financiera: cuando no pueden aprobarse las solicitudes de cambio de estatus y las peticiones deben tramitarse mediante notificación consular, se aplica una tasa de 100000 dólares, a menos que se obtenga una excepción por interés nacional (NIE por sus siglas en inglés). Actualmente, no se tiene constancia de que se haya concedido ninguna NIE, incluidas las solicitudes relacionadas con trabajadores sanitarios destinados a comunidades desatendidas.



Se recomienda encarecidamente a los beneficiarios seleccionados y a sus empleadores patrocinadores que se pongan en contacto con nuestro equipo de Santos Lloyd para recibir orientación exhaustiva sobre el proceso de solicitud de visado H-1B. Dada la complejidad del nuevo sistema ponderado por el salario, los requisitos de presentación actualizados y las posibles implicaciones financieras de la tasa de tramitación consular, es esencial contar con asesoramiento profesional en materia de inmigración para afrontar estos cambios con éxito y garantizar la presentación de solicitudes a tiempo y conforme a la normativa dentro del plazo de presentación comprendido entre el 1 de abril y el 30 de junio de 2026.

Este blog no pretende ser una asesoría legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar sobre cualquier información que aquí lea.

Kris Quadros-Ragar

Federal Court Strikes Down USCIS Policy Blocking Applications for 39 Countries

By Rabia Elhage • July 6, 2026
 Navigating the U.S. immigration system is already a complex process, but a critical new federal court ruling has provided major relief to thousands of applicants who have found themselves caught in a challenging standstill. On Friday, June 5, 2026, U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a nationwide order declaring unlawful and vacating four restrictive U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies. These internal policies had previously directed adjudicators to completely suspend processing and final decisions for immigration benefits filed on behalf of foreign nationals from roughly 39 countries. In a sharply worded ruling, Chief Judge McConnell criticized the administration’s restrictive processing directives, stating that the policies "threw the lives of countless immigrants living in the United States into indeterminate legal limbo." He further accused USCIS of actively ignoring established federal law by categorically barring these applicants from receiving final decisions. Which Countries and Benefits Are Affected? The 39 affected nations are located predominantly across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, heavily mirroring countries that have been targets of broader administration travel bans. Under the struck-down policies, individuals from these specific countries faced indefinite halts on their essential filings, regardless of the individual merits of their cases. The federal court's decision directly impacts a wide spectrum of vital immigration pathways, including: Asylum Applications Employment Authorization Documents (Work Permits) Adjustment of Status (Green Cards) Naturalization (Citizenship Applications) What This Means For Clients and Applicants The core takeaway of this decision is immediate: USCIS must resume processing these cases. Because the court's ruling carries a nationwide effect, the agency is no longer permitted to pause or shelve a file simply because of the applicant’s country of origin. While the administration is widely expected to appeal Chief Judge McConnell's decision, the policy is officially vacated for the time being. For individuals from the affected nations who have watched their applications sit frozen for months without explanation, this opens a crucial window to see their cases move forward toward a final determination. How Santos Lloyd Law Firm Can Assist The landscape of U.S. immigration remains incredibly fluid, and shifts in federal policy can radically impact your status, career, or timeline. If you are a national of one of the affected countries or have an application that has been experiencing unusual or prolonged delays, it is critical to evaluate how this new ruling alters your strategy. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., we closely monitor federal litigation and shifting agency guidance to provide our clients with proactive legal support. Whether you are navigating family-based applications, employment visas, or citizenship tracks, our experienced attorneys are here to help you understand your options and build a viable path forward.

Premium Processing in 2026: Is It Still Worth It?

By Josephine Franz • June 11, 2026
For many of our clients, premium processing has long felt less like a luxury and more like a necessity. Whether it's an artist with a tour date, a startup founder with investors waiting, or an executive whose H-1B extension is tied to a project deadline, the ability to get a USCIS decision in fifteen business days has been a cornerstone of business and entertainment immigration planning. But 2026 has brought meaningful changes. On March 1, 2026, USCIS implemented a new round of premium processing fee increases under the biennial inflation adjustment authorized by the USCIS Stabilization Act. With fees now climbing across every eligible form, employers, foreign nationals, and their counsel are asking a fair question: at these prices, is premium processing still worth it? The short answer is: often yes but no longer always. Here is what has changed, what hasn't, and how to think strategically about your filings this year. What Premium Processing Actually Buys You Premium processing is an optional, fee-based service that obligates USCIS to take action on a qualifying petition or application within a defined window. "Action" does not necessarily mean approval USCIS may issue an approval, a denial, a Request for Evidence (RFE), a Notice of Intent to Deny, or open an investigation. But it must do something within the guaranteed timeframe, or refund the premium fee. The current adjudication windows are: 15 business days for most Form I-129 nonimmigrant petitions (including H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, TN, and E-3) and most Form I-140 employment-based immigrant petitions 45 business days for Form I-140 petitions in the EB-1C (multinational executive/manager) and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) categories 30 business days for eligible Form I-539 change-of-status applications and Form I-765 applications for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT employment authorization When USCIS issues an RFE, the clock pauses and restarts only when the agency receives the response, a detail that surprises many petitioners and is worth planning around. The 2026 Fee Increases at a Glance The Department of Homeland Security's final rule, published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2026, raised premium processing fees by an average of roughly 5.7 percent based on inflation between June 2023 and June 2025. Any Form I-907 postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, must include the updated fee, or USCIS will reject the filing outright.

P1 Visa for Individual Sport Athletes

By Joseph Lennarz • June 4, 2026
Navigating the immigration landscape as a professional athlete can feel as demanding as a championship final, but understanding the P-1A visa can help you to plan ahead and successfully petition USCIS when the time comes to apply. For individual athletes like surfers, Rodeo cowboys, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters, the P-1A serves as the primary gateway to competing in the United States. While it is often compared to the O-1 visa, the P-1A has a distinct threshold that is more easily accessible than the O-1; rather than proving "extraordinary ability," you must demonstrate "international recognition". This means your achievements must be renowned or leading in more than one country, showcasing a level of skill that is substantially above the ordinary. For those competing in individual sports, the spotlight is entirely on your personal accolades and standing rather than a team or league’s reputation as in the case of a team sport athlete. You must show that you are personally well-known within your sport across multiple countries, and that the U.S. events you intend to enter typically draw other internationally recognized participants. One of the most significant advantages for the solo competitor is the duration of stay, as individual athletes can often secure a P-1 visa for an initial period of up to five years, which can eventually be extended to a total of ten. This stands in stark contrast to team athletes, who are generally limited to the duration of a specific season or contract with a team. If you are looking to be proactive about your future eligibility, you should treat your career milestones as a collection of evidence for the "Two-Out-of-Seven" rule used by USCIS. To qualify, you must provide evidence satisfying at least two of the following seven criteria: Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major U.S. sports league. Evidence of participation in an international competition with a national team. Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition. A written statement from an official of a major U.S. sports league or the governing body of the sport detailing your international recognition. A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert. Evidence that you or your team is ranked, if the sport has international rankings. Evidence that you or your team has received a significant honor or award in the sport. Building your resume with these specific benchmarks in mind is essential. Here are some suggestions to help an individual sport athlete to meet these criteria and successfully qualify for a P-1A visa: First, you should actively seek opportunities to represent your national team or strive for high international rankings , as these are concrete proof of your standing. If you are working with an immigration attorney, make sure they have a clear understanding of your sport, how its governing body determines rankings, and the significance of your accomplishments- successfully showing USCIS why your rankings or results indicate you are performing at an elite and internationally recognized level is key to a successful outcome. Beyond the trophies, your professional network plays a crucial role ; cultivating relationships with recognized experts or sports media members who can provide written statements will significantly strengthen your future petition. Major media articles that discuss your accomplishments or explain the significance of competitions or rankings you feature in, can also have a strong positive impact on your case. As you prepare, remember that every petition also requires a formal consultation letter from an appropriate labor organization , if one exists that covers your sport. A good immigration attorney will help you to identify the appropriate labor organization and engage with them on your behalf to secure the consultation letter you need. Generally, they will want to see the same evidence that USCIS will be evaluating, and they may need some time to review your petition prior to issuing you a consultation letter. Finally, you will also need a written contract with an employer or agent within the United States, and a detailed itinerary of the events where you will perform . Your immigration attorney can also help you to structure your contract with your agent or employer, and guide you in creating an itinerary based on the events or competitions you will participate in. While every individual sport is different, USCIS will want to see that you have set up a structure that will pay you a living wage to perform your sport, and that you have planned out an itinerary of competitions or events in sufficient detail that covers the entire period of time for which you are requesting the P-1A visa. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, P.C., we are experienced in helping talented individuals who are accomplished in many different sports to continue their careers here in the United States. If you are such an athlete interested in competing here, please contact us, and we will be happy to discuss your case.
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