How does the new wage-weighted H-1B lottery change which offers make sense?

It does now. From FY2027 (the March 2026 registration), USCIS weights selection by the OEWS wage level of the offered role: Level IV gets 4 entries, Level III 3, Level II 2, Level I 1. USCIS's own estimate puts selection odds around 15% at Level I and about 61% at Level IV. Only base and guaranteed pay count, not bonus or equity, and the lowest wage level among multiple worksites or registrations applies. Separately, the $100,000 fee from the September 2025 proclamation mainly hits petitions for people outside the US; changes of status inside the US have generally avoided it. A federal court let the fee stand in December. Rules are still moving, so confirm with an immigration attorney.Sources: adamsandreese.com ↗ , fisherphillips.com ↗