There is important news for foreign professionals planning to work in the United States.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new version of Form I-129, which will change the way H-1B visa applications are processed.
Earlier, H-1B visas were mainly selected through a random lottery system.
Now, the process will focus more on salary levels and job details. Every year, the US issues 65,000 H-1B visas, along with 20,000 additional visas for foreign students who have completed a master’s degree or higher from a US university.
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New Form I-129 to Be Mandatory from April 2026
Under the new rules, American companies will have to provide more detailed information about the job while filing petitions for foreign workers.
Employers use Form I-129 to apply for an H-1B visa on behalf of a foreign employee.
In the updated form, companies must clearly mention:
The educational qualifications required for the job
The specific field of study
The required work experience
The roles and responsibilities of the employee
Starting April 1, 2026, only the new Form I-129 will be accepted by USCIS.
Salary Levels Will Decide Visa Priority
Under the new system, salary levels will play a major role in visa selection.
Jobs will be divided into four salary levels, and this will influence how quickly an applicant can receive a visa.
Level 1: Entry-level jobs
Level 2: Jobs requiring some work experience
Level 3: Experienced professional roles
Level 4: Senior positions such as supervisors or highly skilled experts
Applicants offered a Level 4 salary will have a higher chance of getting an H-1B visa compared to those in lower salary categories.
Why the US Government Introduced This Rule
According to the Murthy Law Firm, the government carefully reviewed the new form before introducing it.
For example, if a company offers a worker a Level 1 salary but submits job details suggesting a higher-level role, USCIS may start an investigation.
The agency can ask the company why a higher salary level was mentioned during registration.
This step is aimed at preventing incorrect or misleading job information in visa applications.
What It Means for Foreign Workers
The new rule clearly indicates that higher salaries will improve the chances of getting an H-1B visa.
For entry-level workers, this could make it harder to secure a visa because applicants with higher salary offers may get priority.
USCIS will also verify whether the worker’s skills, education, and experience match the salary level mentioned in the application.
If there is any mismatch between the company’s details and the worker’s credentials, the visa application could be rejected.