Why the US ending the H-1B lottery is unsettling Silicon Valley and beyond
The US is set to replace the H-1B visa lottery with a wage-weighted selection model from February 2026, prioritising higher-paid foreign workers. While aimed at rewarding skill, industry bodies like Nasscom warn the shift could disrupt hiring predictability, disadvantage smaller firms and mid-level roles, and reshape how US tech companies plan access to global talent.
The US is set to replace the H-1B visa lottery with a wage-weighted selection model from February 2026, prioritising higher-paid foreign workers. While aimed at rewarding skill, industry bodies like Nasscom warn the shift could disrupt hiring predictability, disadvantage smaller firms and mid-level roles, and reshape how US tech companies plan access to global talent.
