By SCM STAFF REPORTER
WASHINGTON — THE American Dream is getting a major upgrade as the U.S. government moves to scrap the “luck of the draw” visa lottery in favor of a “skills-first” system.
In a massive shake-up of the H-1B work visa program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed it will now prioritize the brightest and best-paid foreign workers over low-cost labor.
The move is designed to stop “unscrupulous” bosses from flooding the system with cheap foreign workers to undercut American wages.
For years, the U.S. has handed out 85,000 H-1B visas annually through a random computer lottery. But officials say the system was being “exploited and abused” by companies looking for a bargain.
From February 27, 2026, the lottery is history. Instead, visas will be handed out based on salary and skill levels—the higher the pay, the better the chance of getting in.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman Matthew Tragesser hit out at firms using the old system to “import” workers on the cheap.
“The existing random selection process was exploited by employers seeking to pay foreign workers lower wages than they would pay Americans,” he said.
“The new weighted selection will strengthen America’s competitiveness by incentivizing employers to petition for higher-paid, higher-skilled foreign workers.”
The crackdown is the latest “America First” move by the Trump Administration.
It comes alongside a shock Presidential Proclamation that forces employers to pay a staggering $100,000 (£79,000) extra per visa just to be eligible.
The new rules will be in full force for the 2027 visa season, ensuring that if you want a seat at the table in the States, you’d better bring world-class skills—and a paycheck to match.
