US Ends H-1B Visa Lottery, Shifts to Higher-Pay, High-Skill Selection in Major Immigration Shake-Up

The United States is set to overhaul how it awards H-1B work visas to foreign nationals. The change marks a major shift in immigration policy under President Donald Trump’s administration. Officials say the goal is to protect American jobs and wages.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed the new rule this week. The regulation will take effect on Friday, February 27, 2026. It will replace the long-standing random lottery system used to select H-1B visa beneficiaries.

Under the new approach, visas will be issued using a weighted selection model. This means higher-paid and more highly skilled foreign workers will have better chances. Salary level will play a bigger role in selection.

USCIS said the old lottery system was often abused. According to the agency, some employers flooded the system with low-wage applications. Officials argue this practice pushed down wages and disadvantaged American workers.

The Department of Homeland Security said the reform is meant to modernise the programme. It also aims to strengthen US competitiveness in a global talent market. At the same time, it seeks to discourage misuse.

USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said the changes would push firms to hire better-paid and highly skilled workers. He added that the reform aligns with Congress’s original intent for the H-1B programme. “The administration,” he said, “wants to stop practices that undercut local labour.”

Despite the new selection method, the annual visa cap will remain the same. The US will still issue 65,000 H-1B visas each year. An additional 20,000 slots will remain reserved for applicants with advanced US degrees.

Officials stressed that employers can still hire workers at all wage levels. However, higher salaries will now carry more weight. This is expected to shift employer behaviour.

The reform is part of a wider immigration push. The Trump administration has tightened rules across several visa categories. Supporters say the move restores fairness. Critics question whether it will work.

The announcement comes amid rising diplomatic tensions. Mali and Burkina Faso recently imposed travel bans on US citizens. This followed new US entry restrictions on several countries.

As the start date approaches, employers and foreign workers are adjusting. The H-1B programme is entering a new chapter.