The US Department of Homeland Security is planning to introduce a significant change to the H-1B visa selection process. Instead of the current random lottery system, the new rule would prioritize applicants based on their salary levels.
How the New System Would Work
The proposed system would categorize H-1B petitions based on salary levels, with the highest-paying jobs given priority. The selection process would work as follows:
– Highest-paying jobs would be selected first
– Followed by jobs with slightly lower salaries
– And so on, until all 85,000 annual slots are filled
Impact on Applicants
This change could have a significant impact on foreign students and early-career professionals who may not have high salaries. The new system aims to attract top talent to the US by prioritizing higher-skilled workers.
Timeline
The proposed rule is currently under review, and if approved, the new system could be implemented by March 2026.
Key Features
The new system would introduce a weighted selection process, where applicants with higher salaries would have a greater chance of being selected. This approach aims to ensure that the US attracts the best talent from around the world.
