The Department of Homeland Security is replacing its longstanding lottery system for H-1B work visas with a new approach that prioritizes skilled, higher-paid foreign workers.
The new system will “implement a weighted selection process that will increase the probability that H-1B visas are allocated to higher-skilled and higher-paid” foreign workers, according to the DHS press release. This goes into effect on February 27, and will apply to the upcoming H-1B cap registration season. This new system may increase the chances of doctors being selected for visas. However, it will not change the new requirement that employers pay an additional $100,000 for each visa.