Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:33am on 24 Dec 2025,Wednesday International
The United States has finalised a major overhaul of the H-1B work visa programme, replacing the longstanding random lottery system with a weighted selection process that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. The new rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, will take effect February 27, 2026, ahead of the FY2027 H-1B cap season, and applies to about 85,000 visas issued annually. Officials say the change aims to curb abuse of the old lottery, protect US workers’ wages and better align visa allocation with economic needs. This shift could make it harder for entry-level applicants, including many from India, to secure H-1B visas.
