H-1B Rule to Create Wage-Based Lottery Delayed Until Years’ End

A finalized rule that would change the annual H-1B selection process from random lottery to wage-based priority has been put on hold.

According to a notice released Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security is delaying the rule’s effective date until Dec. 31, 2021, because U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services won’t have enough time to overhaul the process before the online registration period opens in March. USCIS is the sub-agency responsible for conducting the lottery for the specialty occupation visas.

The DHS needs “adequate time to complete system development, thoroughly test the modifications, train staff, and conduct public outreach” to ensure ...