New research by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) has concluded that the new wage-based selection system for H-1B Visas will make it difficult for international students in the US to obtain the H-1B Visa. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a new policy change to prioritize high-wage earners from the H-1B Visa pool, to favor more experienced professionals in the selection process.
According to the research, this move will effectively incentivize study in the US after the already significant decline in enrollment of international students in US universities. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed that there has been a 72% decrease in enrollment of international students in 2020 compared to the year before.
Applicants who are paid L-1 wages will not be considered for H-1B Visas while only half of the applicants being paid L-2 wages will be successful in gaining entry through an H-1B Visa. This is ironic since international students are generally paid L-1 and L-2 wages due to their lack of experience. Therefore, this policy will effectively make it impossible for international graduates in the US to qualify for the H-1B Visa.
