Trump Administration Reports 38.5% Drop in H-1B Visa Applications Following Program Changes
The Trump administration announced Thursday that H-1B visa applications have fallen sharply this year after major changes were introduced to the work-based visa program.
USCIS reports a 38.5% decline in H-1B applications as new rules reshape visa approvals toward higher-skilled workers.
President Donald Trump has often expressed support for legal immigration, but the H-1B visa program has remained a key focus for those seeking stricter immigration reforms. In response, the administration implemented tighter wage requirements and increased application fees, measures the White House says are intended to eliminate systemic abuse of the program.
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According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the changes are producing results. In a post on X, the agency stated:
"This data is a clear sign that the days of abusing the program with mass, low-wage registrations are over, and that the program is better serving its intended purpose of attracting highly skilled foreign workers and protecting the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities of American workers."
USCIS said the number of properly submitted applications for the 2027 H-1B allocation declined significantly. Applications dropped from 343,981 in fiscal year 2026 to 211,600 for 2027, representing a 38.5 percent decrease.
The agency argued that the decline reflects an end to widespread abuse of the visa program. USCIS also highlighted changes in the profile of approved applicants, noting that the visa has faced criticism from those who claim some employers use it to obtain lower-cost labor instead of highly skilled workers.
In its X post, USCIS reported that more selected applicants held advanced academic qualifications and higher-paying job offers. The agency said 71.5 percent of selected immigrants possessed U.S. master's degrees or higher, compared with 57 percent the previous year. The figures indicate that many foreign students educated in the United States are successfully obtaining H-1B visas after completing their studies.
USCIS further emphasized changes in salary distribution among approved applicants. The agency said only 17.7 percent of approvals fell within the lowest-wage category, describing the trend as evidence that it is "closing the door" on low-skilled and low-wage workers.
Debate Continues Over H-1B Reforms
While the Trump administration presented the figures as evidence that its H-1B reforms are working, reactions were mixed.
Connor O'Brien, a fellow at the Institute for Progress who specializes in high-skilled immigration, told Newsweek:
"Data released by DHS [Department of Homeland Security] suggests its new H-1B weighted lottery has modestly shifted visas towards higher-skilled applicants. But we can still do so much better."
He also argued for replacing the lottery system with a salary-based ranking system.
"Replacing the H-1B lottery with a salary-based ranking would massively boost the average salary of new H-1B workers, better select for top talent, and protect American workers from potentially lower-wage competition. A salary-based ranking would increase average H-1B salaries so much that over time, it would raise tens of billions of dollars in additional federal tax revenue. Congressional Republicans can and should add an H-1B salary ranking provision to their reconciliation package set to be voted on soon."
Many users responding to USCIS on X argued that jobs obtained by H-1B holders should instead be filled by American-born workers, reflecting a long-running debate surrounding the program.
Among the critics was Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, who wrote on X:
"These changes are all good, in the sense of being less bad -- but only the real solution is to abolish the H-1B program altogether (along with OPT [Optional Practical Training], and more)."
Others praised the changes. Entrepreneur Michael Taiwo said:
"Many people I know got it this year because they essentially stopped the competition from abroad with the $100K fee. I knew this was going to help those already in the States when it was rolled out. Good call from the administration on this one."
What Comes Next?
Some lawmakers are pursuing legislation that would eliminate the H-1B program entirely. However, USCIS has provided no indication that it plans to end the visa system. The allocation process for the upcoming year has already been completed, and the next registration period is expected to open early next year.