Tag results for 'H 1B; immigration; policy changes; prevailing wage; presidential proclamation; registration cycle; fee increase; merit-based; capital-based; programme transformation'

The H-1B cap season in 2026: wage inflation and a $100,000 barrier to entry

The latest H 1B cap registration cycle has unfolded amid unusually rapid and significant policy shifts driven by the Trump Administration’s restrictive immigration stance. Although the H 1B programme has long faced incremental regulatory tightening, recent developments mark a more profound transformation. Two measures in particular, the adoption of a far more aggressive prevailing wage structure and the introduction of a $100,000 fee via presidential proclamation have reshaped not only programme mechanics but also the pool of viable participants. Collectively, these changes signal a move away from a high volume, lottery based system toward a de facto merit and capital based selection model.

Released on Mar 31, 2026