The Division of Homeland Safety mentioned Tuesday it was changing its longstanding lottery system for H-1B work visas with a brand new strategy that prioritizes expert, higher-paid overseas employees.The change follows a sequence of actions by the Trump administration aimed toward reshaping a visa program that critics say has develop into a pipeline for abroad employees keen to work for decrease pay, however supporters say drives innovation.”The prevailing random choice strategy of H-1B registrations was exploited and abused by U.S. employers who have been primarily looking for to import overseas employees at decrease wages than they’d pay American employees,” mentioned U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies spokesman Matthew Tragesser.Earlier this yr, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual H-1B visa charge on extremely expert employees, which is being challenged in court docket. The president additionally rolled out a $1 million “gold card” visa as a pathway to U.S. citizenship for rich people.A press launch asserting the brand new rule says it’s “in keeping with different key modifications the administration has made, such because the Presidential Proclamation that requires employers to pay a further $100,000 per visa as a situation of eligibility.” Traditionally, H-1B visas have been awarded by a lottery system. This yr, Amazon was by far the highest recipient, with greater than 10,000 visas accredited, adopted by Tata Consultancy Companies, Microsoft, Apple and Google. California has the best focus of H-1B employees.The brand new system will “implement a weighted choice course of that can enhance the chance that H-1B visas are allotted to higher-skilled and higher-paid” overseas employees, in line with Tuesday’s press launch. It would go into impact Feb. 27, 2026, and can apply to the upcoming H-1B cap registration season.Supporters of the H-1B program say it is a crucial pathway to hiring healthcare employees and educators. They are saying it drives innovation and financial progress within the U.S. and permits employers to fill jobs in specialised fields.Critics argue that the visas typically go to entry-level positions somewhat than senior roles requiring specialised abilities. Whereas this system is meant to forestall wage suppression or the displacement of U.S. employees, critics say firms pays decrease wages by classifying jobs on the lowest talent ranges, even when the employees employed have extra expertise.The variety of new visas issued yearly is capped at 65,000, plus a further 20,000 for individuals with a grasp’s diploma or increased.
The Division of Homeland Safety mentioned Tuesday it was changing its longstanding lottery system for H-1B work visas with a brand new strategy that prioritizes expert, higher-paid overseas employees.
The change follows a sequence of actions by the Trump administration aimed toward reshaping a visa program that critics say has develop into a pipeline for abroad employees keen to work for decrease pay, however supporters say drives innovation.
“The prevailing random choice strategy of H-1B registrations was exploited and abused by U.S. employers who have been primarily looking for to import overseas employees at decrease wages than they’d pay American employees,” mentioned U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies spokesman Matthew Tragesser.
Earlier this yr, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual H-1B visa charge on extremely expert employees, which is being challenged in court docket. The president additionally rolled out a $1 million “gold card” visa as a pathway to U.S. citizenship for rich people.
A press launch asserting the brand new rule says it’s “in keeping with different key modifications the administration has made, such because the Presidential Proclamation that requires employers to pay a further $100,000 per visa as a situation of eligibility.”
Traditionally, H-1B visas have been awarded by a lottery system. This yr, Amazon was by far the highest recipient, with greater than 10,000 visas accredited, adopted by Tata Consultancy Companies, Microsoft, Apple and Google. California has the best focus of H-1B employees.
The brand new system will “implement a weighted choice course of that can enhance the chance that H-1B visas are allotted to higher-skilled and higher-paid” overseas employees, in line with Tuesday’s press launch. It would go into impact Feb. 27, 2026, and can apply to the upcoming H-1B cap registration season.
Supporters of the H-1B program say it is a crucial pathway to hiring healthcare employees and educators. They are saying it drives innovation and financial progress within the U.S. and permits employers to fill jobs in specialised fields.
Critics argue that the visas typically go to entry-level positions somewhat than senior roles requiring specialised abilities. Whereas this system is meant to forestall wage suppression or the displacement of U.S. employees, critics say firms pays decrease wages by classifying jobs on the lowest talent ranges, even when the employees employed have extra expertise.
The variety of new visas issued yearly is capped at 65,000, plus a further 20,000 for individuals with a grasp’s diploma or increased.
