Bloomberg Law: Tougher H-1B Visa Scrutiny Anticipated as Annual Lottery Opens

With the upcoming annual H-1B lottery set to open on March 7, 2025, employers are bracing for heightened scrutiny of selected petitions. While the recent fee increase is unlikely to discourage participation, immigration attorneys anticipate a more challenging adjudication process, with stricter reviews and a slower pace under the new US administration.

Partner Isha Atassi told Bloomberg Law that businesses should expect increased vetting, particularly those with petitions entered into the lottery. She also noted that last year’s efforts to curb duplicate registrations have improved the system’s credibility. However, the core issue remains—demand for high-skilled talent continues to far exceed the available visa supply, leaving many employers without critical workforce solutions.

Read more here.