The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Tuesday, Dec. 23, a significant overhaul of the H-1B visa application process for highly skilled workers. Under the new policy, the current random lottery system will be replaced by a salary-based selection process, prioritizing foreign workers with higher wages and advanced expertise.
This change is set to take effect on Feb. 27, 2026, and will apply to the H-1B visa application season for the fiscal year 2027.
The DHS explained that the elimination of the lottery system aims to prevent the misuse of the program, which has allowed some employers to hire foreign workers at lower wages, thereby undermining US competitiveness and harming domestic labor rights.
In addition to prioritizing higher-paid applicants, the US government has already announced a steep increase in H-1B visa application fees, raising the cost from HK$1,000 to HK$100,000. Applicants will also face stricter background checks, including reviews of their social media accounts.
According to US media reports, the annual cap for new H-1B visas remains at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 slots reserved for individuals holding a master's degree or higher.
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