Sat, 02 May 2026 19:34:50 +0000

You Were Close – But the H1B Lottery Got It All Wrong
Why the U.S. Immigration System Misses the Mark and What Could Be Different The U.S. H1B visa program was designed to attract top global talent to fill critical roles in American industries—from tech and engineering to healthcare and research. Yet, despite its noble purpose, the H1B lottery system has repeatedly failed to align with real-world workforce needs, leaving many employers and innovators frustrated. Just last year, the story made headlines: “You were close—but the H1B lottery got it all wrong.” But is it really that simple? Let’s unpack why the current system struggles, what it gets wrong, and what’s needed to make H1B more effective for both companies and workers alike. ### The Flawed Mechanism Behind the H1B Lottery The H1B lottery operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a capped annual quota—around 65,000 visa slots, plus 20,000 for advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. Applicants submit detailed petitions citing job offers, required skills, and salary guarantees. But this rigidity ignores key economic realities: rigid quotas, geographic mismatch, and rapidly evolving tech needs.