US H-1B Visa Program Becomes Less Forgiving for Indian Professionals

Changes to the H-1B visa program are making it more challenging for Indian professionals to navigate. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented new rules, including a wage-weighted lottery system that favors higher-paid workers.

Xiao Wang, CEO of Boundless Immigration, notes that this change has resulted in a significant gap between senior and entry-level candidates. According to Boundless' client data, Level III (senior) candidates were selected at 68%, while Level I (entry level) candidates were chosen at 40%.

Additionally, the number of EB-1A approvals has dropped sharply. In Q2 FY2026, the approval rate was 41.7%, down from 66.9% in FY2025. Indian nationals account for a significant portion of EB-1A filings, with 26.5% of total receipts coming from India.

For existing H-1B holders facing layoffs, the 60-day grace period has become a pressing concern. The US Department of Homeland Security is proposing to eliminate this period, which would leave workers with limited time to find another sponsor or change status.