The BRICS TimesH-1B Visa: Trump Administration’s ‘America First’ Policy Tightens Rules, Making Visa Pursuit Tougher for Many Indian Professionals.
The US Donald Trump administration has announced the end of the old random lottery system for the H-1B work visa. A new ‘weighted selection’ system will be used instead. This system will prioritize foreign workers who are more skilled and receive higher salaries. This change aims to improve salaries, jobs, and working conditions for American workers.
New Rule Notification Issued
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released this new rule on Tuesday. USCIS spokesperson Matthew Trejesar stated, “Many American companies were exploiting the old random lottery system.” They were hiring foreign workers at lower salaries. These workers were ready to work for less money than American workers.
What Changes Will the New Rules Bring?
Visa selection will no longer be random; it will be weighted. Selection will be weighted based on the salary level. Applicants with job offers carrying higher salaries will have better chances. The Department of Labor (DOL) has set four wage levels. The lowest level gets 1 entry, and the highest level receives 4 entries. This benefits high-paid and highly-skilled workers. The annual cap remains the same: a total of 85,000 H-1B visas (65,000 General + 20,000 for advanced degree holders). This rule becomes effective on February 27, 2026. It will start with the H-1B cap registration season for Fiscal Year 2027.
Why Did the Trump Government Make This Decision?
The Trump administration claims the old system was being misused. Companies were showing entry-level jobs to bring in foreign workers at low salaries. This happened even if the workers had extensive experience. This practice negatively affected the jobs and salaries of American workers. The new system aligns with the ‘America First’ Policy. It intends to promote high-skilled talent.
What Will Be the Impact on Indian Workers?
Indian professionals are the largest users of the H-1B visa. This change will make obtaining a visa difficult for entry-level or low-salaried young Indians. Conversely, experienced workers in high-paid and senior roles will benefit. This year, Amazon was the top company securing H-1B visas (over 10,000+). TCS, Microsoft, Apple, and Google followed.
