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Mint
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Donald Trump govt mulls changes to US citizenship test, H-1B visa program: What it means?
Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services Joseph Edlow said this week that President Donald Trump's administration is considering changes to the test to become a US citizen. Earlier, it was reported that the administration was planning to change the visa system for skilled foreign workers by doing away with the H1-B visa lottery system. Joseph Edlow, the director of USCIS, told the New York Times on Thursday that the administration wanted to change the naturalisation test required by prospective US citizens. As of now, immigrants study 100 civics questions and then must respond correctly to six out of 10 questions to pass that portion of the test. During the first Trump administration, the agency increased the number of questions and required applicants to respond correctly to 12 out of 20 questions. Edlow said the agency plans to return to a version of that test soon, the NYT reported. In an interview with The New York Times, Joseph Edlow said the test to become a US citizen was too easy and should change. 'The test as it's laid out right now, it's not very difficult,' Edlow said on Thursday, adding. 'It's very easy to kind of memorise the answers. I don't think we're really comporting with the spirit of the law.' Edlow's proposed changes would have to be approved through the federal government's rule-making process. The Donald Trump administration is reportedly planning to revamp the H1-B visa lottery system, aiming to replace it with a more weighted and wage-linked selection process. The proposed changes aim to give preference to certain applicants based on additional criteria—potentially including wages—thereby benefiting highly-skilled and higher-paid professionals. Currently, the system is quite simple. Applicants who are eligible for H1-B visa submit their applications, and a computer-run lottery randomly selects the recipients. Each year, about 85,000 H-1B visas are issued, including 20,000 reserved for individuals holding a Master's degree or higher from a US university. On January 8, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule to modify its process for selecting H-1B petitions when registrations surpass the annual limit of 85,000. So, what changes does the administration propose? As per Forbes, in the final rule in 2021, DHS described the new selection process as: 'The USCIS will rank and select the petitions received on the basis of the highest Occupational Employment Statistics wage level that the proffered wage equals or exceeds for the relevant Standard Occupational Classification code in the area of intended employment, beginning with OES wage level IV and proceeding in descending order with OES wage levels III, II, and I.' A study by the Institute for Progress earlier this year found, as reported by the Hindustan Times, that if higher salaries were given priority instead of using a random lottery, the average salary of an H-1B visa holder could rise from around $106,000 to $172,000. That would likely make things much harder for outsourcing firms who rely on hiring large numbers of lower-wage workers, but could be a big plus for researchers, PhD holders, and senior-level tech professionals, the report added. Doug Rand, a former Biden administration official, said changing the H1-B process to favour higher-wage earners was misguided. 'Like it or not, the H-1B program is the main way that US companies can hire the best and brightest international graduates of US universities, and Congress never allowed DHS to put its thumb on the scale based on salary,' he said. Regarding the plan to change the H-1B visa program for foreign workers, it has been the subject of debate within the Republican Party. Edlow said it should favour companies that plan to pay foreign workers higher wages. the proposed changes to the system could alleviate criticism from those in the right wing of the Republican Party who say the program attracts workers willing to accept lower salaries than American workers. This week, US Vice President JD Vance had criticised companies that lay off their own employees and then hire foreign workers. But some of Trump's most prominent backers in the tech industry said they rely on the H-1B visa program because they can't find enough qualified American workers. Edlow was quoted by NYT as saying, 'I really do think that the way H-1B needs to be used, and this is one of my favorite phrases, is to, along with a lot of other parts of immigration, supplement, not supplant, US economy and US businesses and US workers."
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What are new weightage level rules of US H-1B visa? Important things students must know
In a country where a six-figure job offer once meant a golden ticket to an H-1B visa, change is in the air, this time in the form of a more calculated, wage-driven selection process. The United States is poised to move away from its long-standing random H-1B lottery system and toward a wage-level-based selection model, reshaping the future of work for thousands of aspiring immigrants and international students. While the new system won't affect the 2026 H-1B quota, already maxed out, it signals a bold philosophical shift in how the US will define merit, skill, and value in its immigration framework. What is changing? Under the current system, H-1B petitions are selected by lottery when applications exceed the statutory cap of 65,000 general slots and 20,000 additional slots for individuals with advanced degrees from US universities. This approach, though administratively neutral, has long been criticised for failing to prioritise skill, experience, or even sectoral needs. Now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes a wage-based ranking mechanism. Echoing a shelved rule from the Trump administration, the new plan will prioritize visa allocations according to Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) wage levels, starting from Level IV (highest salaries) and moving down through Levels III, II, and finally I (entry-level). This fundamentally changes the game. The wage-level breakdown: Level I (Entry-Level): ~$83,000 Level II (Qualified): ~$108,000 Level III (Experienced): ~$127,000 Level IV (Fully Competent): ~$151,000 These tiers are defined by the Department of Labor's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes and are tied to job responsibilities and market rates in specific geographic regions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo Who gains and who loses? American tech professionals, especially those at senior and mid-level positions, have welcomed the change. For years, critics argued that the lottery system allowed companies, particularly outsourcing firms, to fill junior positions with lower-paid foreign talent, undercutting domestic wages. With wage-based prioritization, the hope is to restore integrity to the system and ensure that only highly skilled, well-compensated foreign workers are considered. On the other side of the spectrum, international graduates fresh out of US universities will find the road far more difficult. Entry-level H-1B sponsorships are likely to decline sharply, as employers face lower odds of success when offering Level I wages. Startups and smaller companies, too, may struggle to compete with tech giants able to pay top-tier salaries and secure visas more reliably. Moreover, this could create unintended friction at the top: mid-level H-1B talent with higher salaries could end up competing with seasoned American professionals for leadership-track roles—raising questions about displacement at the upper echelons of the workforce. A shift in immigration philosophy This is not just a procedural tweak. It represents a seismic reorientation of how the US views merit-based immigration. No longer will chance determine access to one of the world's most coveted work visas. Instead, the market, expressed through wage offers, will drive selection. But that also means the H-1B becomes less a pathway for potential and more a reward for economic leverage. Not without controversy Critics argue that wages do not always equate to skill, especially across industries, locations, or roles. For instance, an AI researcher at a university might earn less than a mid-level engineer in a corporate tech firm. Should the system automatically favour the latter? And what about public service sectors, research institutions, and emerging startups that drive innovation but operate with tighter budgets? The proposal is currently under White House review and will go through a period of public comment. But the message is clear: the United States is tightening the screws on how it selects high-skilled foreign workers, and money now talks louder than ever. What students must know Entry-level H-1B chances will sharply decline Only higher-paying offers will stand a chance under the new rule F-1 to H-1B transitions could become far more difficult STEM graduates should explore employer pathways offering Level II+ wages Startups may no longer be the most visa-friendly options Consider long-term planning for green cards earlier Stay updated on White House reviews and DHS rule finalization timelines In this evolving landscape, international students and skilled workers must recalibrate expectations. The age of H-1B as a gateway to opportunity may not be over, but it is undoubtedly being remapped, with salary slips now replacing luck as the ultimate key to the American dream. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
H-1B wage levels: What will change in the new US immigration rules that will end visa lottery?
The proposed H-1B rule will be bad news for international graduates and senior American employees. The US administration is planning to bring in a new H-1B rule which will give weightage to wage level instead of the random lottery that takes place now when H-1B registration exceed the annual limit of 65,000 plus the additional 20,000 for individuals with an advanced degree from a US university. The new rule will not be applicable this year as 2026's registration quota has already been reached. US tech workers have welcomed the proposed changes as they think the changes will eliminate the possibility of U companies hiring foreign workers for posts that don't need high skills, as H-1B should be -- but they hire only to save money as they will have to pay less wage to a foreigner than a US citizen. Understanding weightage-based selection This is the same rule that the Trump administration wanted to bring in during the last term. 'USCIS will rank and select the petitions received on the basis of the highest Occupational Employment Statistics wage level that the proffered wage equals or exceeds for the relevant Standard Occupational Classification code in the area of intended employment, beginning with OES wage level IV and proceeding in descending order with OES wage levels III, II, and I. ' (The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program is within the Department of Labor.)" by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo the 2021 DHS rule said. What does this mean? This means there will be no H-1B hiring at the entry level. Entry-level jobs will be protected for Americans. Based on the wages and expertise needed for a job, there are four levels: Entry, qualified, experienced and fully competent. The national average of entry-level salary is $83K, level 2 is $108K, level 3 is $127K and level 4 is $151K. International grads will suffer, senior American employees will face competition International graduates looking for entry-level jobs in America will suffer as they will not get a chance in the proposed system. While this is good news for American graduates, the new rule has bad news for senior American leadership as the new system will bring in more high-paid mid-level H-1Bs. Startups will also suffer as they won't be able to hire cheap labor from H-1Bs.
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First Post
22-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
US may look at salary to allot H-1B visas. Why it's bad news for foreign students
The US government is considering bringing a new immigration rule to end or modify the H-1B visa cap lottery, replacing it with a 'weighted selection process'. The proposed policy could favour those with higher salaries, typically senior employees. This would significantly hurt foreign students and early-career professionals read more Getting H-1B visas could become tougher for some foreigners. File Photo/Reuters The United States may make obtaining some H-1B visas difficult for foreigners with lower income. The Donald Trump administration is reportedly planning to introduce a new rule to change or completely end the H-1B visa lottery. The US government could start granting H-1B visas on the basis of 'weighted selection process', which would prefer individuals with higher salaries. This could put international students and early-career professionals at a disadvantage. Let's take a closer look. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What's the proposed rule? The Trump administration is considering a new rule for allotting H-1B visas. It is planning to replace the H-1B cap lottery process with a 'weighted selection process'. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted a filing to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), saying it was mulling bringing the 'weighted selection process' for applicants under the capped part of the H-1B visa system. The H-1B visas for high-skilled foreign workers are capped at 85,000 per year. Currently, these visas are granted through a lottery system — a random selection process — when registrations surpass the annual limit of 65,000, plus a 20,000 exemption for individuals with an advanced degree from a US university. Under the proposed rule titled 'Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions', weights could be given based on the salary received by the foreign beneficiary, who is being sponsored for the H-1B visa by their American employer. After the rule is reviewed by OIRA, it will be published in the Federal Register. This process could take many months and there is also likely to be a window for public comments before the final rule is implemented, as per a Times of India (TOI) report. 'But they are moving fast, so that could happen within the calendar year,' Doug Rand, a former DHS official, told the newspaper. When Trump changed H-1B selection rule in 2021 Even during his first term, Trump attempted to modify the selection process for some H-1B visas. On January 8, 2021, the DHS published a final rule to change the H-1B cap lottery process, replacing it with a wage-based selection process. 'USCIS [US Citizenship and Immigration Services] will rank and select the petitions received on the basis of the highest Occupational Employment Statistics wage level that the proffered wage equals or exceeds for the relevant Standard Occupational Classification code in the area of intended employment, beginning with OES wage level IV and proceeding in descending order with OES wage levels III, II, and I,' the DHS said about the selection process. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under this, senior employees who get higher salaries – Level 3 (experienced) and Level 4 (fully competent) — would have been preferred for H-1B cap visas over individuals starting their careers who are generally paid at Level 1 and Level 2. The rule was ultimately not implemented by the Biden administration. ALSO READ: What's the $250 Visa Integrity Fee that the US has introduced? How will it affect Indian tourists, students How salary-based selection process hurts freshers If the US junks the lottery system for H-1B visa cap, it could hurt the foreign students and early-career professionals. According to a 2021 National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) analysis, an international student has 54 per cent more chance to get an H-1B petition under the current H-1B lottery (or registration) system than if the H-1B lottery were eliminated. In case the weighting rule is implemented, USCIS would still conduct a lottery. However, if it is solely based on salary, an H-1B applicant with a proposed annual salary of $200,000 would be twice as likely to be selected as an applicant who earns $100,000 every year, as per a Forbes report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The other way to implement the proposed immigration policy could be that employees paid at the Level 4 wage get four chances to be selected, a Level 3 applicant three chances, a Level 2 registrant two chances and a Level 1 registrant one chance. People walk past a pro-Palestinian protest on May 27, 2025 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. File Photo/ Getty Images via AFP 'Weighting would suggest giving a higher probability of being selected for certain applicants, but everyone would still have some chance at being selected,' economist Mark Regets, a senior fellow at NFAP, told Forbes. Any change to the selection process for H-1B visas will significantly impact Indians, who are the largest beneficiaries of the programme. Indian nationals have accounted for more than 70 per cent of all approved H-1B petitions since 2015, as per the US government data. In the fiscal ending September 2023, Indians made up 68,825 (58 per cent) of initial employment visas and 2.10 lakh (79 per cent) of extensions. Educational experts told TOI that usually overseas students transitioning to H-1B visas after completing their optional practical training are recruited at entry levels. The proposed rule will also hurt at least 11 occupations, including physicians, internists, paediatricians, dentists and computer and information systems managers, as per NFAP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Connor O'Brien, a researcher at the Economic Innovation Group, told Newsweek: 'The details of the rule and how it is implemented will matter a lot. But eliminating the H-1B lottery in favour of a system that prioritises higher earners first is a no-brainer. 'The H-1B is the primary way through which we bring in skilled immigrants and we only have 85,000 visas to give away each year. Giving away these visas randomly is an enormous, missed opportunity to attract truly scarce talent that would benefit American businesses and communities.' If passed, the new H-1B selection process could be implemented by March 2026, before the FY 2027 H-1B cap selection. The details of the proposed rule remain unclear, as of now. With inputs from agencies
