H-1B Work Visa Rules Get a Revamp
H-1B visas allow employers to hire high-skilled foreign workers. Regulators have finalized new rules for this visa program following last fall's proposal.


To help you understand what changes the White House is making to update H-1B visa programs, on immigration more generally and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
Federal regulators have finalized a new rule regarding H-1B visas. The rule keeps only the least controversial parts of the original proposal, first issued last fall.
These include a “beneficiary-centric” H-1B registration process, whereby an employee may be selected only once in each lottery. The goal is to avoid giving employees with support from multiple employers an unfair advantage.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The rule will also allow for more flexible start dates for H-1B visa recipients, and endeavor to boost integrity with document mandates and harsher, swifter penalties for fraud.
Employers should also expect to pay higher filing fees for the next fiscal year. H-1B visas allow employers to hire high-skilled foreign workers however, the number is capped at 65,000 annually, with an additional 20,000 set aside for foreigners with advanced degrees from U.S. colleges and universities.
Demand for this visa program has consistently outpaced supply since the H-1B visa was first introduced in 1990.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related stories
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

-
AI Goes To School
The Kiplinger Letter Artificial intelligence is rapidly heading to K-12 classrooms nationwide. Expect tech companies to cash in on the fast-emerging trend.
-
Where to Invest in an Uncertain Market
In an uncertain market, you can still pocket juicy payouts ranging from 4% to 14%, depending on risk.
-
AI Goes To School
The Kiplinger Letter Artificial intelligence is rapidly heading to K-12 classrooms nationwide. Expect tech companies to cash in on the fast-emerging trend.
-
The New AI Agents Will Tackle Your To-Do List
The Kiplinger Letter Autonomous AI agents “see” your computer screen, then complete a task, from buying a concert ticket to organizing email. This opens up a world of possibilities.
-
The IRS is in Chaos
The Tax Letter DOGE, departures, data agreements and more are creating havoc at the IRS.
-
Trump's Second 100 Days
The Kiplinger Letter President Trump's agenda faces legal and legislative roadblocks.
-
AI’s Medical Revolution
The Kiplinger Letter Medicine is a field ripe for finding both exciting and practical uses for AI. The tech is already being used by doctors and researchers.
-
The Economic Impact of the US-China Trade War
The Letter The US-China trade war will impact US consumers and business. The decoupling process could be messy.
-
AI Heads to Washington
The Kiplinger Letter There’s big opportunity for AI tools that analyze MRIs and other medical images. But also big challenges that clinicians and companies will have to overcome.
-
Trump Dials Back Most Tariffs but Targets China
The Kiplinger Letter Wall Street hopes that higher tariffs on most countries are on hold for good. But the trade war between the U.S. and China is heating up.