H-1B visa overhaul: What changes for UAE expats planning to work in the US

Dubai: The US is set to change how it hands out H-1B work visas, a move that could have a direct impact on professionals in the UAE and expats around the world hoping to work in America.

The Department of Homeland Security said it will replace the long-standing random lottery system with a new selection process that favours higher-paid and higher-skilled applicants. The new rules will take effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the 2027 H-1B visa intake.

What is the H-1B visa?

The H-1B visa allows US companies to hire foreign professionals for specialised roles in areas such as technology, engineering, healthcare and finance. Each year, the US issues 65,000 visas, with an extra 20,000 reserved for people who hold advanced degrees from US universities.

Because demand is far higher than supply, the government has relied on a lottery to decide who gets a visa — a system that has often left highly qualified candidates empty-handed. That lottery is now being scrapped.

What is changing?

Under the new system, visa applications will be ranked, not randomly selected. Jobs that offer higher salaries and require specialised skills will have a better chance of securing a visa. Lower-paid roles will still be eligible, but they are less likely to be picked.

US immigration officials say the old system was increasingly misused, with some employers submitting large numbers of applications for lower-wage roles. A spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said the changes are meant to bring the programme back in line with its original purpose and protect US workers.

Effects on global expats

For professionals based in the UAE — especially those in technology, engineering, finance or healthcare — the changes could be significant.

Applicants with strong qualifications, niche expertise and higher-paying job offers are likely to see better chances of success. Those applying for more junior or lower-paid roles may still qualify, but competition will be tougher.

The new rules could also reduce mass filings by recruitment firms, making the process clearer and more predictable for individual applicants rather than large-volume sponsors.

Hit for US employers

For US companies, the changes raise the bar. Employers may need to offer more competitive salaries and clearly define specialised roles to secure foreign talent.

For American workers, the government says the goal is to prevent wages from being pushed down and ensure overseas hiring does not replace local jobs.

The overhaul is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to tighten oversight of the H-1B programme. Other measures include a requirement that some employers pay an additional $100,000 per visa as a condition of eligibility.

What happens next?

The changes will not affect applications immediately, giving employers and candidates time to adjust before the 2027 intake.

For UAE residents and expats planning a move to the US, the shift is straightforward: job seniority, salary level and specialised skills will matter more than ever when applying for an H-1B visa.