Trump Overhauls H-1B Visa System with Wage-Weighted Selection

The Donald Trump administration has implemented a comprehensive overhaul of the H-1B visa program, replacing the long-standing random lottery with a wage-weighted selection process effective February 27, 2026. Under this new system, which applies to the fiscal year 2027 registration season, applicants are granted between one and four entries into the selection pool based on their Department of Labor wage level; Level IV positions receive four entries, while Level I receive one. This shift aims to protect American wages by prioritizing highly skilled and highly paid workers over lower-wage foreign labor.

Accompanying these changes is a September 2025 presidential proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B applications, specifically those for beneficiaries outside the U.S. without a valid visa. While a coalition of 20 states and business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenged the fee in court, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell upheld the measure, ruling that the president possesses broad statutory authority to address economic and national security concerns.

Further restrictions include expanded social media and online presence vetting for all H-1B and H-4 applicants globally starting December 15, 2025. These measures caused widespread disruptions in India, leaving hundreds of professionals stranded after the U.S. Department of State abruptly canceled or deferred thousands of visa interviews. In response, technology firms including Google, Apple, and Amazon advised employees against international travel to avoid extended stays abroad. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the FY 2027 registration window will run from March 4 to March 19, 2026.