The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal to change the H-1B lottery to a weighted selection process passed the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs’ (OIRA) review. The new system will replace the current H-1B lottery to prioritize registrants that meet specific criteria. The proposed rule echoes a 2021 plan that sought to prioritize H-1B applicants by wage tiers.

The proposed system prioritizes candidates based on higher wages or advanced educational backgrounds rather than selecting entrants randomly. The government hopes the new criteria will encourage employers to sponsor applicants for higher-paying and specialized positions.

OIRA clearance means the DHS is ready to unveil the new selection process to the public. First, it will be published in the Federal Register, after which it will be open to comments from the public for the next thirty to sixty days. DHS will then make any changes based on said public feedback, if they choose, before releasing the final rule.

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