H‑1B Lottery Applications Drop Nearly 40%
H‑1B Lottery Applications Drop Nearly 40%
Applications for the H‑1B lottery dropped by nearly 40% this year, according to figures released Tuesday by federal authorities. Officials said the decline reflects new efforts to prevent misuse of the system, including multiple filings submitted to increase selection odds.
Changes to the H‑1B Lottery System
Technology companies that rely heavily on H‑1B workers had urged reforms after a surge in applications reduced the chances for individual candidates. In response, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a rule allowing each applicant only one entry into the lottery, regardless of how many job offers they received.
USCIS introduced the policy to address concerns about potential fraud and coordinated filings. Under the updated system, employers may still submit registrations, but each worker is counted once.
Application Numbers and Trends
This year’s H‑1B lottery received 470,342 entries, down from 758,994 the year before. USCIS reported that the number of total applicants remained relatively stable, suggesting a sharp reduction in multiple registrations per individual.
The surge in prior years followed a procedural change. Before 2021, employers filed extensive paperwork by mail. The shift to an electronic registration system with a $10 fee made participation easier but also enabled excessive submissions. In one cited example, a single individual filed registrations linked to 83 separate job offers in 2022.
Impact on Employers and Workers
USCIS said the drop in registrations indicates fewer attempts to exploit the process. Officials described the change as a positive development for the integrity of the H‑1B program.
Established in 1990, the H‑1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in fields requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, especially in STEM occupations. Critics argue that some employers use the program to lower labor costs, while supporters say it addresses persistent talent shortages.
Infosys led H‑1B sponsorships in 2023, with Amazon, Microsoft, and Google also among top employers. Some foreign graduates in the United States, who may work temporarily under Optional Practical Training, reported disadvantages compared to applicants with multiple registrations. As a result, some pursued opportunities in Canada or Europe.
Ongoing Debate and Reform Proposals
USCIS Director Ur Jaddou said agency officials could not afford to wait another year to address irregular registration practices. Investigators also uncovered cases where companies coordinated filings for the same candidates.
Although many business groups welcomed the changes, some critics say further reforms are needed. Proposals to replace the lottery with a wage‑based selection system continue to draw support, reflecting ideas raised during the previous administration.
Related resources:
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- H-1B Specialty Occupations | USCIS