In a major overhaul of the H-1B visa program, the Trump administration has officially terminated the long-standing lottery system used to select applicants. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the random selection process will be replaced by a new, weighted system that prioritizes candidates with higher skills and salary offers.
Why the H-1B Visa Lottery Was Scrapped
According to the USCIS, the existing lottery mechanism was frequently exploited. In an official press release, the agency stated that some U.S. employers misused the system by submitting multiple registrations for lower-skilled foreign workers to secure visas, often at wages lower than those paid to American workers. This practice, they argued, undermined the program's original intent and harmed the domestic workforce.
Matthew Tragesser, a spokesman for USCIS, elaborated on the decision. "The existing random selection process of H-1B registrations was exploited and abused," he said. "The new weighted selection will better serve Congress’ intent for the H-1B program and strengthen America’s competitiveness by incentivizing American employers to petition for higher-paid, higher-skilled foreign workers."
Key Details of the New H-1B Visa Rule
The new regulation is set to take effect on February 27, 2026. This means the revised selection process will be implemented for the Fiscal Year 2027 H-1B cap registration season. The core change involves moving from a random draw to a system where registrations for beneficiaries with higher wage levels or possessing advanced degrees will have a greater chance of being selected.
USCIS clarified that the annual cap remains unchanged. The United States issues 65,000 regular H-1B visas each year, with an additional 20,000 reserved for holders of advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. The agency framed this reform as a crucial step to protect the integrity of the visa program and prioritize American workers, aligning with the administration's "America First" policy.
Broader Context and Impact for Indian Professionals
This policy shift is part of a series of stricter measures introduced by the Trump administration concerning the H-1B visa, a category heavily utilized by Indian technology professionals. Another significant change referenced is a Presidential Proclamation imposing an additional fee of $100,000 per visa for certain employers, set to begin on September 22, 2025.
The stated goal of the new weighted selection is to ensure that the H-1B program primarily benefits American businesses seeking top-tier global talent for specialized roles, particularly in fields like technology, healthcare, and engineering, without depressing domestic wage standards. While the opportunity for employers to hire at all wage levels remains, the odds are now structurally tilted in favor of higher-skilled, higher-paid candidates.
The final ruling underscores the administration's commitment to ongoing H-1B reforms. "With these regulatory changes and others in the future, we will continue to update the H-1B program to help American businesses without allowing the abuse that was harming American workers," added Tragesser.
