Trump Ends H-1B Lottery: Thousands of Indians Face US Visa Hurdles

• Trump administration abolishes the H-1B visa lottery, replacing it with a weighted selection favoring higher salaries and specialized skills.
• The change, effective Feb 27, 2026, is expected to disproportionately affect thousands of Indian professionals, who secure over 70% of H-1B visas.
• USCIS justifies the move by stating the previous lottery was "exploited" by employers hiring low-wage foreign workers, impacting American jobs.
• Mid-career professionals, entry-level engineers, and those sponsored by smaller companies are likely to face significant challenges under the new system.
• Other Trump-era measures include a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications and stricter vetting, pushing Indian professionals to consider Canada, Europe, or India.

Why It Matters: Trump's H-1B lottery abolition prioritizes high-wage skills, severely impacting Indian professionals.