Trump Admin Confirms New H-1B Process

Priority will be placed on higher-skilled, higher-paid foreign workers.

The U.S. flag and a U.S. H-1B visa application form are seen in this illustration taken Sept. 26, 2025. Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced changes to the H-1B visa process on Dec. 23, marking the latest action in the Trump Administration’s immigration reforms.

Going into effect on Feb. 27, 2026, and set to be in place for the 2027 fiscal year H-1B cap registration season, the DHS will be implementing a “weighted selection process” intended to rein in the current random lottery system and prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid foreign nationals.