With the March 2026 H-1B lottery only weeks away, Indian-heavy tech employers say they will file far fewer registrations and front-load salary offers to survive new U.S. immigration rules. A Times of India Tech Desk report on 28 January details how firms are auditing job codes, eliminating speculative entries and budgeting higher wages in response to a US$100,000 filing fee and a wage-weighted selection system announced by the Trump administration.
Recruiters predict overall registrations could drop by up to 30 percent from last year’s 358,000 as companies prioritise senior, revenue-generating roles. Immigration counsel are urging HR teams to align job descriptions, SOC codes and wage levels long before the electronic registration window opens to avoid costly Requests for Evidence.
![Companies Rethink 2026 H-1B Lottery Strategy as Fees Soar and Wage-Weighted Selection Looms]()
VisaHQ, an online visa and immigration services platform, can help employers and applicants stay ahead of these shifting requirements. Through its dedicated India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/), the company provides up-to-date guidance on U.S. work-visa categories, customised document checklists and real-time tracking dashboards, allowing users to respond quickly to Requests for Evidence and other compliance hurdles.
For Indian talent, the changes mean stiffer competition but potentially better pay. Early anecdotal evidence shows employers offering mid-career candidates six-figure raises to push them into higher wage tiers that carry better lottery odds. Entry-level graduates, by contrast, may see options narrow, accelerating a shift toward Canada’s Global Talent Stream or Australia’s MATES scheme.
Global mobility managers must also brace for higher budgeting exposure: the new fee is due at petition stage, not registration, but employers will still need to escrow funds. Experts recommend building scenario models that factor in lower approval volumes, longer onboarding timelines and contingency placements in other jurisdictions.
Recruiters predict overall registrations could drop by up to 30 percent from last year’s 358,000 as companies prioritise senior, revenue-generating roles. Immigration counsel are urging HR teams to align job descriptions, SOC codes and wage levels long before the electronic registration window opens to avoid costly Requests for Evidence.
VisaHQ, an online visa and immigration services platform, can help employers and applicants stay ahead of these shifting requirements. Through its dedicated India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/), the company provides up-to-date guidance on U.S. work-visa categories, customised document checklists and real-time tracking dashboards, allowing users to respond quickly to Requests for Evidence and other compliance hurdles.
For Indian talent, the changes mean stiffer competition but potentially better pay. Early anecdotal evidence shows employers offering mid-career candidates six-figure raises to push them into higher wage tiers that carry better lottery odds. Entry-level graduates, by contrast, may see options narrow, accelerating a shift toward Canada’s Global Talent Stream or Australia’s MATES scheme.
Global mobility managers must also brace for higher budgeting exposure: the new fee is due at petition stage, not registration, but employers will still need to escrow funds. Experts recommend building scenario models that factor in lower approval volumes, longer onboarding timelines and contingency placements in other jurisdictions.
