H-1B visa applications drop by almost 40% as US tightens rules for skilled workers
H-1B visa lottery applications dropped 40% due to measures against fraud. Rules restrict multiple entries, ensuring fairness. Major tech firms employ visa holders, but critics raise concerns about wages and labor protections.
By ET Online | Updated:
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The number of lottery applications for H-1B visas, crucial for highly educated workers, saw a significant decrease of nearly 40% this year, according to an announcement made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Tuesday. The decline has been attributed to a crackdown on attempts to "game the system" through multiple applications by individuals seeking to unfairly increase their chances of selection.
"Our initial data suggests that there were far fewer attempts than last year to gain an unfair advantage owing in large measure to the implementation of the beneficiary-centric selection process," USCIS said in a statement.
"We are reviewing the FY 2025 data for any attempts to gain an unfair advantage through the beneficiary-centric process. We will deny or revoke any petitions and make law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution accordingly," they said.
In the recent lottery held at the end of March, the government received 470,342 entries, marking a 38% drop from the previous year's 758,994 entries. While the overall number of workers applying remained relatively stable — about 442,000 this year compared to 446,000 last year — the reduction in multiple applications suggests that stricter rules are effectively curbing fraudulent practices.
These new rules were introduced after companies and individuals were found to be submitting multiple applications, sometimes through collaboration, to boost their chances of success.
"Based on evidence from the FY 2023 and FY 2024 H-1B cap seasons, we have already undertaken thorough fraud investigations, denied and revoked petitions accordingly, and continue to make law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution," the immigration agency added.
The H-1B visa program, established in 1990, is designed for workers with a bachelor's degree or higher in fields experiencing labor shortages, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). While the program provides much-needed talent for U.S. companies, critics argue that it can lead to lower wages and fewer labor protections. Major technology firms, including Infosys, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Google, are among the top employers of H-1B visa holders.
The increase in lottery bids over the past few years, fueled by a $10 electronic registration fee and the removal of the requirement to submit physical paperwork for initial registration, opened the door for misuse. USCIS reported instances where one person submitted bids for as many as 83 job offers in a single year. The new rules, aimed at restoring fairness, ensure that each worker has only one opportunity in the lottery, regardless of the number of job offers they receive.
"We want to make sure that it's in the hands of people who are going to use it and help the nation, and we realized that the gaming of the system was not helpful for anybody," USCIS Director Ur Jaddou said.
Your sponsor can be your current or a new employer, as long as they're willing to support your application.
"Our initial data suggests that there were far fewer attempts than last year to gain an unfair advantage owing in large measure to the implementation of the beneficiary-centric selection process," USCIS said in a statement.
"We are reviewing the FY 2025 data for any attempts to gain an unfair advantage through the beneficiary-centric process. We will deny or revoke any petitions and make law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution accordingly," they said.
In the recent lottery held at the end of March, the government received 470,342 entries, marking a 38% drop from the previous year's 758,994 entries. While the overall number of workers applying remained relatively stable — about 442,000 this year compared to 446,000 last year — the reduction in multiple applications suggests that stricter rules are effectively curbing fraudulent practices.
These new rules were introduced after companies and individuals were found to be submitting multiple applications, sometimes through collaboration, to boost their chances of success.
"Based on evidence from the FY 2023 and FY 2024 H-1B cap seasons, we have already undertaken thorough fraud investigations, denied and revoked petitions accordingly, and continue to make law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution," the immigration agency added.
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The H-1B visa program, established in 1990, is designed for workers with a bachelor's degree or higher in fields experiencing labor shortages, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). While the program provides much-needed talent for U.S. companies, critics argue that it can lead to lower wages and fewer labor protections. Major technology firms, including Infosys, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Google, are among the top employers of H-1B visa holders.
The increase in lottery bids over the past few years, fueled by a $10 electronic registration fee and the removal of the requirement to submit physical paperwork for initial registration, opened the door for misuse. USCIS reported instances where one person submitted bids for as many as 83 job offers in a single year. The new rules, aimed at restoring fairness, ensure that each worker has only one opportunity in the lottery, regardless of the number of job offers they receive.
"We want to make sure that it's in the hands of people who are going to use it and help the nation, and we realized that the gaming of the system was not helpful for anybody," USCIS Director Ur Jaddou said.
To get an H-1B visa, you need a company to sponsor you. If you're already in the US on a student visa, ask your employer if they can sponsor your H-1B. Otherwise, consult an immigration lawyer about your options.
Your sponsor can be your current or a new employer, as long as they're willing to support your application.
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