Trump Admin's New H-1B Rule: A Shift in Favor of Higher-Skilled Indian Workers or a Barrier to Entry? | India News

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The US Department of Homeland Security has announced a significant overhaul of the H-1B visa program, replacing the random lottery system with a weighted selection model that prioritizes higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants. This change, set to take effect on February 27, 2026, may have a disproportionate impact on Indian professionals who have long relied on the H-1B program to work in the US. Under the revised regulations, the US will give preference to applicants with higher skill levels and salaries, increasing their chances of securing one of the limited H-1B visas available each year. While visas will still be available across all wage levels, the probability of selection will increase significantly for employers filing petitions for better-paid and more specialized foreign workers. The new rule may particularly affect entry-level professionals, mid-career engineers, and those sponsored by smaller firms or staffing consultancies, who may see their chances of securing an H-1B visa decline. Indian nationals, who currently account for over 70% of all H-1B visas issued annually, may face increased competition for the remaining spots. The move has been defended by US Citizenship and Immigration Services as a way to better align with Congress' intent and protect American workers' wages and job opportunities. However, industry experts warn that the new rules may push Indian talent to explore alternatives such as Canada or Europe, or encourage companies to expand offshore delivery and global capability centers within India. The changes come amid a broader tightening of the H-1B ecosystem, with the Trump administration imposing an additional $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications and expanding social media screening to all H-1B and dependent H-4 applicants. Immigration lawyers have warned that prolonged delays in visa processing could result in job losses for many aspiring Indian professionals. As the US continues to navigate its immigration policies, Indian professionals will need to adapt to a changing landscape and consider new opportunities for growth and development.