H-1B Visa Changes 2026: DHS Introduces Salary-Based Selection System

 

What is the H-1B Visa and Why Is It Important?

The H-1B visa is one of the most popular programs for foreign workers with specialized skills in fields such as technology, engineering, science, and finance. Each year, Congress sets a limit of 65,000 visas, plus an additional 20,000 for those with advanced degrees from U.S. universities. Historically, the selection process has been random, which has drawn criticism for allowing abuses and failing to prioritize high-level talent.

However, the previous system was exploited by some employers seeking to hire foreign labor at lower wages, impacting the opportunities and conditions of local workers. As Matthew Tragresser, a spokesperson for USCIS, stated: “The current random selection process for H-1B applications was exploited and abused by U.S. employers primarily seeking to hire foreign workers at lower wages than they would pay U.S. workers.” ↑

Key Changes to the Process

Traditionally, when the number of H-1B visa applications exceeded the number of available visas, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) conducted a completely random lottery to select the applications that would become formal petitions.

With the new rule, the process will no longer be entirely random but will instead be weighted by salary. This means that applications for higher-paying jobs and, in general, more specialized positions will have a greater chance of being selected.

More information https://inmigracionyvisas.com/a6506-New-H1B-visa-selection-process-2026.html