US Revamps H-1B Visa: Focus on Skilled Workers
The United States has made a significant change to its H-1B visa selection process, moving from a random lottery system to a more structured approach that prioritizes higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. This announcement, made by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), emphasizes the goal of protecting American jobs and wages while ensuring that the best talent from around the world can contribute to the US economy.
Starting on February 27, 2026, the new selection rules will come into effect for the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap registration season. Currently, the annual quota for H-1B visas is capped at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas reserved for holders of advanced degrees from US institutions. By prioritizing skilled workers, the government aims to address concerns regarding the exploitation of the previous lottery system, which critics claimed allowed lower-skilled foreign workers to enter the labor market at lower wages.
The DHS pointed out that the previous random selection process had been criticized for enabling unscrupulous employers to take advantage of it. Many employers were reportedly using the lottery to hire foreign workers at wages lower than what they would typically pay American workers. The new weighted selection process is designed to rectify this issue by increasing the likelihood that H-1B visas will be allocated to individuals with higher skills and better compensation.
Matthew Tragesser, a spokesperson for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), highlighted the intent behind these changes, stating that they align with Congress' vision for the H-1B program. By encouraging employers to petition for higher-paid, higher-skilled foreign workers, the new rules aim to enhance the competitiveness of American businesses in the global market.
This reform is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to adjust the H-1B visa framework to better serve American interests. The administration has previously introduced measures such as increasing the visa fee to $100,000 as a condition for eligibility. These changes reflect a strong commitment to ensuring that the US labor market is protected while still attracting necessary talent from abroad.
Overall, this shift in the H-1B visa process signifies a crucial transformation in how the US approaches foreign labor, focusing on skill and compensation rather than random selection. It remains to be seen how this will affect the influx of foreign workers and the overall job market in the United States.
