H-1B Visa Overhaul: $100K Fee and Wage-Based Lottery Reshape Work Visa
New regulations prioritize higher-paid H-1B applicants and impose a $100,000 supplemental fee, fundamentally changing how employers sponsor foreign workers. The wage-based lottery system took effect February 27, 2026.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has implemented sweeping changes to the H-1B work visa program that significantly increase costs and shift selection criteria. Effective February 27, 2026, a new wage-based lottery system replaced the traditional random drawing, prioritizing applicants with higher salaries and advanced degrees. Additionally, employers filing new H-1B petitions after September 21, 2025, must pay a $100,000 supplemental fee per application.
What Changed
- Wage-priority system: The lottery now weighs applications based on salary levels, favoring mid-career professionals over entry-level candidates
- Increased costs: New $100,000 fee applies to petitions for individuals outside the U.S.; change-of-status applications for those already in the country face lower fees
- Stricter wage requirements: Department of Labor proposed rules would increase minimum salary requirements by 21-33% depending on experience level
These changes aim to protect American workers by discouraging employers from using H-1B visas to hire lower-cost foreign talent. However, they create new barriers for recent international graduates and early-career professionals seeking employment-based visas. International students who completed degrees in the U.S. may find it harder to stay and work, as entry-level H-1B sponsorships become less attractive to employers facing higher fees and strict wage floors.
Sources
MyHAbroad is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any government or public authority. This is general information only — not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Always verify with the official source before acting:
