US Eyes Big Change in H-1B Visa Lottery: Could Weighted Selection Boost Economy?
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is contemplating a significant change to the H-1B visa selection process. Currently, the selection is done via a traditional random lottery system. However, DHS may replace this with a weighted selection process that considers factors like salary level and candidate seniority.
A recent study highlights that switching to this method could boost the economic value of the H-1B visa program by up to 88 percent. This increase hinges on awarding visas to applicants who either command higher salaries or possess more experience.
Currently, when applications exceed the annual visa cap, selections are made randomly, which creates uncertainty for both job seekers and employers. The proposed weighted system aims to:
- Prioritize highly skilled workers
- Favor applicants with higher compensation
- Reduce uncertainty in the application process
The anticipated benefits for US businesses include attracting top talent and promoting higher wages. However, the exact details of the new system and its implementation timeline are still being finalized by DHS.
Stay tuned to Khiladi Cafe for the latest updates on this evolving policy.
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