By Amjad Qaimkhani
WASHINGTON: The United States has announced it will abolish the long-running lottery system for H-1B work visas and replace it with a new “weighted selection” model, a move expected to reshape how foreign workers are hired.
According to international media reports, the new system will prioritize higher salaries and advanced skills, making it more difficult for younger and entry-level professionals to secure US work visas.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the new rules would come into effect on 27 February 2026, with around 85,000 H-1B visas to be issued each year under the revised system from the 2027 financial year onwards.
A spokesperson for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Matthew Tragesser, said the existing lottery system had been widely abused, with some companies hiring foreign workers at lower wages, undercutting American employees.
In a statement, the Trump administration said the decision was part of a broader set of measures aimed at reforming the visa program. These include a presidential order requiring companies sponsoring H-1B visas to pay an additional $100,000 fee per visa.
Data published by foreign media shows Amazon was the largest recipient of H-1B visas this year, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Apple and Google. California remains the state with the highest number of H-1B workers. The annual cap on H-1B visas stands at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas reserved for applicants holding a US master’s degree or higher.
