US Overhauls H-1B Lottery: Higher Skills, Higher Pay Prioritized; Indians Most Affected

• US to replace random H-1B lottery with a weighted selection system, effective February 27, 2026.
• New system prioritizes higher-paid, higher-skilled workers by assigning more lottery entries based on wage levels.
• Indian professionals, who dominate H-1B visas, are expected to face the biggest impact, especially entry-level roles.
• Employers must now submit detailed wage levels and job classifications at registration; USCIS gains more denial/revocation power.
• Aims to curb exploitation by employers seeking cheaper labor, though critics question if wage levels accurately reflect skill.

Why It Matters: US H-1B overhaul prioritizes higher wages/skills, significantly impacting Indian professionals and employers.