After Donald Trump became the President, getting a US visa—especially an H-1B visa—has become more difficult. The rules are constantly changing.
Now, the US government is planning to replace the current lottery system for H-1B visa selection with a new “weighted system.”
The Department of Homeland Security has sent a proposal to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs suggesting this change.
While full details are not yet known, the new system may give priority to applicants based on their salary and qualifications.
This means that higher-skilled and better-paid applicants could have a better chance of getting the visa.
Currently, H-1B visas are issued through a lottery, where all applicants have an equal chance, no matter their background or employer. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to manage the H-1B visa process.
High Demand for H-1B Visas Among Indians
The H-1B visa allows US tech companies to hire highly skilled workers from other countries. Every year, many Indian professionals go to the US through this program. In 2022 alone, over 3 lakh H-1B visas were issued to Indian citizens.
Recently, this topic sparked a political debate. Tesla CEO Elon Musk criticized the tightening of H-1B rules, while President Trump defended the changes, saying that foreign workers were taking away jobs from US citizens.
