What are the potential consequences of the U.S. H-1B visa reforms for American companies?

Experts warn that the proposed changes could have a negative impact on American companies, particularly in the technology and IT sectors, which are heavily reliant on Indian talent. Restricting the availability of visas could lead these companies to hire remotely from India or outsource more jobs abroad, potentially harming U.S. innovation in the long run.

How does the Trump administration view the current H-1B program?

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has described the existing H-1B program as "a scam," arguing that American jobs should go to U.S. citizens before foreign workers. The administration is now working to move away from the random ballot system and create a new system that favors people with higher salaries and more specialized skills.

Home / Business and Economy / U.S. Revamps H-1B Visa System, Prioritizing High-Earning Talent

U.S. Revamps H-1B Visa System, Prioritizing High-Earning Talent

Q: How will the proposed "Gold Card" initiative impact Indian H-1B workers?

The "Gold Card" initiative will replace the existing green card system and focus on selecting "the best people first" rather than randomly allocating visas. While Indian workers with top skills and high-paying job offers may still be able to secure visas, younger professionals, fresh graduates, and those with lower salaries will likely face greater challenges in accessing the U.S. job market.

28 Aug

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Summary

H-1B visas to be awarded based on salary, not lottery
Indian workers with top skills may still secure visas
Younger professionals, fresh grads face tougher competition

U.S. Revamps H-1B Visa System, Prioritizing High-Earning Talent

As of August 2025, the U.S. government is preparing to overhaul the H-1B visa and green card system, a move that could significantly impact Indian professionals. Currently, the H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers through a lottery system, with over 70% of these visas going to Indian citizens.

However, the Trump administration now aims to replace this random ballot with a new system that prioritizes people with higher salaries and more specialized skills. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has described the existing H-1B program as "a scam," arguing that American jobs should go to U.S. citizens before foreign workers.

Under the proposed "Gold Card" initiative, green cards would be awarded based on merit rather than chance. While Indian workers with top skills and high-paying job offers may still secure visas, younger professionals, fresh graduates, and those with lower salaries will likely face greater challenges in accessing the U.S. job market.

Experts warn that these changes could negatively impact American companies, particularly in the technology and IT sectors, which rely heavily on Indian talent. Restricting visa availability could lead firms to hire remotely from India or outsource more jobs abroad, potentially harming U.S. innovation in the long run.

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