The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the current H-1B visa season is drawing to a close, revealing significant shifts under new immigration policies. The agency reported that the program is yielding 'great results' from measures designed to prioritize higher-skilled foreign workers while curbing low-wage registrations.
Key Highlights from USCIS Update
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), USCIS disclosed that 71.5% of selected applicants hold a U.S. master's degree or higher, a notable increase from 57% in the previous year. The agency emphasized that more approvals are going to candidates with advanced degrees and higher salaries, particularly those who studied at American universities. This shift reflects a stronger focus on attracting highly skilled talent to support U.S. industries.
Decline in Lowest Wage Category
According to USCIS data, the share of registrations in the lowest wage category dropped to 17.7%, signaling a move away from the pipeline of low-skilled foreign labor. Officials stated that this change aims to protect wages, working conditions, and job opportunities for American workers while ensuring that skilled immigrants contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Drop in Total Registrations
USCIS reported that the number of properly submitted registrations fell by 38.5%, from 343,981 in fiscal year 2026 to 211,600 in fiscal year 2027. The agency described this decline as evidence that mass, low-wage registrations are being curtailed, and that the program is better serving its intended purpose of attracting highly skilled foreign professionals.
Official Statement from USCIS
This year's H-1B season is wrapping up, and we're seeing great results from the new policies that prioritize America First. Stay tuned for more updates, but here's what we're seeing so far:
- More top talent: We're approving more applicants with advanced degrees and higher salaries—especially those who studied at U.S. universities. An overwhelming 71.5% of selected aliens hold a U.S. master's degree or higher, compared to 57% last year.
- Stronger workforce: These skilled workers are making a real impact on our economy, and we're closing the door on the low-wage and low-skilled foreign labor pipeline approved under previous administration policies. This year, only 17.7% of all selected registrations were in the lowest wage category.
- Restoring integrity: The number of properly submitted registrations plummeted by 38.5%, from 343,981 in fiscal year 2026 to just 211,600 in fiscal year 2027. This data is a clear sign that the days of abusing the program with mass, low-wage registrations are over, and that the program is better serving its intended purpose of attracting highly skilled foreign workers and protecting the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities of American workers.
More details coming soon!
