US H-1B visa changes spark global shift: IT Talent eyes new horizons - Y-Axis
The US pathway just became costlier and more selective while the annual quota stays fixed
Dubai: The United States has set off a global debate by introducing a new $100,000 fee on H‑1B applications and proposing a wage‑weighted selection system. Here’s what changed, why it matters for IT professionals, and where opportunities are growing in 2025.
What exactly changed?
On September 19–21, 2025, the White House issued a proclamation introducing a one‑time $100,000 fee on new H‑1B applications.
The Department of Homeland Security has also proposed moving cap selection toward higher-paid roles through a wage-weighted process, replacing the pure lottery system.
USCIS confirms the statutory H‑1B cap remains 85,000 per fiscal year (65,000 regular cap + 20,000 US master’s). The registration fee for FY2026 increased to US$215 earlier this year.
Why this matters to IT professionals
The H‑1B is a temporary, employer‑tied visa. Even for those selected, long green‑card backlogs especially for India‑born applicants — mean years of uncertainty. With a dramatically higher application cost and selection tilted to top wage bands, many qualified candidates and smaller employers may be crowded out.
Where the opportunities are shifting in 2025
Germany: Industry body Bitkom reports 109,000 unfilled IT roles (August 2025), spanning software, data, and cybersecurity, well‑aligned to EU Blue Card and Opportunity Card pathways and learns to Permanent Residency in Europe.
Australia: Official Occupation Shortage List data show many ICT roles in nationwide shortage; the skilled‑migration framework provides defined routes to permanent residency for in‑demand tech occupations.
Canada: CompTIA forecasts net tech employment reaching ~1.46 million in 2025, underscoring continued demand for digital skills despite cyclical headwinds; multiple federal/provincial pathways lead to PR.
“This week’s H‑1B developments have triggered immediate client anxiety. We have already seeing Indian IT professionals especially in cloud, data, and cybersecurity pivot to Canada, Australia, and Germany, where rules provide clearer routes to permanent residency. Our advice is simple: don’t pause your global plans re‑route them to markets that are actively welcoming tech talent,” says Clint Khan, Director, Y‑Axis.
Bottom line
The US pathway just became costlier and more selective while the annual quota stays fixed. Meanwhile, Germany’s six‑figure vacancy gap, Australia’s official ICT shortages, and Canada’s expanding tech workforce indicate strong 2025 demand outside the US with more structured, PR‑oriented pathways for skilled workers.
For a personalised career and country roadmap, contact Y‑Axis, UAE’s largest and most trusted overseas careers consultant.
info@y-axis.ae | www.y-axis.ae | +971 4 248 3900
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