Changes To H1B Lottery System: Another Bad Sign For Indians?

The Indian working population in the United States is already concerned about the fact that Trump had imposed $100K fee on H1B visas in the country. And now immigration authorities have made some changes to the H1B lottery system, and this is more concerning.

The proposed changes to the H 1B visa selection system have triggered widespread panic among Indian workers and aspiring applicants. The United States is moving away from the traditional random lottery model and introducing a wage based selection process.

Under the new system, candidates with higher salary offers will have a better chance of getting selected, while lower paid roles will see reduced priority.

This shift has created uncertainty among thousands of Indian professionals who accepted moderate salary offers assuming the lottery system would remain unchanged.

Many now feel disadvantaged, as wage levels rather than skills or experience could decide their future. Entry level employees and mid level tech workers are expected to be the most affected, especially those working with smaller companies or consulting firms.

Industry experts say the move is aimed at protecting American wages and prioritizing high paying jobs. However, critics argue that it unfairly impacts young professionals and international students who usually start their careers with lower salaries. Several workers have expressed frustration, saying they feel trapped after making career decisions based on the old rules.

Indian IT bodies have also raised concerns, warning that the new system could disrupt hiring patterns and reduce opportunities for skilled talent. As the new rules are expected to come into effect from the next H 1B season, anxiety continues to grow among applicants in both India and the United States.