The U.S. government is proposing a major change to the H-1B Visa Selection process, a change that could significantly impact Indian professionals and their families. Under this new system, still under review as of mid-2025, the traditional lottery system would be replaced with a wage-based ranking model, favoring high-salary applicants over early-career talents.
Proposed shift to Wage-Based Selection
The U.S plans to replace the current lottery system with a wage-based selection process, prioritizing applicants offering higher salaries.
Who’s most likely to be affected?
This move is expected to benefit large tech companies and high-paying employers who can secure more approvals by offering top-tier compensation. However, it may negatively impact fresh graduates and entry-level professionals in sectors like startups that typically offer lower wages, making it harder for them to compete in the new system.
Why This Matters For Indian Families?
For many Indian families, especially those with children studying or working in the U.S. on an F-1 or OPT visa, the proposed H-1B Change poses concerns, as recent graduates and early-career professionals face lower selection chances due to lower salaries. The visa also ties them to employers and involves long green card wait times, adding uncertainty to their path to long-term stability.
EB-5 Visa: A Direct Path to U.S. Residency
The EB-5 visa offers a direct path to U.S residency without relying on the employer. An investor can gain a Green Card by investing $800,000 in a government-approved project that creates jobs for Americans.
Key benefits include:
- Permanent residency for the investor and their family
- Freedom to live and work anywhere in the U.S
- No job dependency
Why are more families making the shift from H-1B to EB-5?
Many families are shifting from H-1B to EB-5 because it offers a safer, more certain, and family-friendly path to U.S residency. Unlike the H-1B, which involves a lot of uncertainty and job dependency, the EB-5 Visa provides a direct route to permanent residency through investment. It covers the entire family, allowing children to study freely, spouses to work, and families to settle anywhere in the U.S, making it a more stable and future-ready choice for Indian families.
How Acquest Advisors Can Help You?
At Acquest Advisors, we specialize in helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration through tailored EB-5 strategies.
Whether you are evaluating the H-1B route, exploring the EB-5 investment pathway, or considering a transition from H-1B to EB-5, our team is here to guide you at every step.
About Acquest Advisors
Acquest Advisors is a trusted immigration consultant agency specializing in Business Immigration and Residency/Citizenship by Investment programs across the U.S., Europe, and the UAE.
We offer comprehensive, end-to-end support, assisting clients with source of funds planning and investment selection, whether in projects, property, or business, as well as documentation, business plan preparation, and foreign remittance. Our dedicated team ensures a smooth and hassle-free immigration journey.