The Trump administration has proposed replacing the H-1B visa lottery system with a merit-based, salary-ranked selection process prioritizing higher-paid, highly skilled workers.
President Trump’s administration is moving to end the unfair H‑1B visa lottery, replacing it with a merit‑based, salary‑ranked system that prioritizes highly skilled, top‑earning workers.

FactVerify
Source: factverify.com
Key Evidence
The DHS has officially proposed a wage-based weighted selection process to replace the random lottery for H-1B visas, prioritizing higher salary offers as a proxy for skill level.
indiatoday.inindiatoday.inH-1B visa: Weighted H-1B visa system might end lottery-based model after DHS...
businesstoday.inbusinesstoday.inTrump admin pushes H 1B overhaul; new rule may reward top salaries, sideline... This approach is intended to favor highly skilled foreign workers and reduce reliance on lower-wage labor.
What the Evidence Shows
The claim breaks down into several components: first, that the Trump administration is moving to end the H-1B visa lottery; second, that it will be replaced by a merit-based system; and third, that this system will prioritize highly skilled, top-earning workers. Multiple credible sources confirm that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Trump administration has proposed a rule to replace or significantly alter the random lottery system for H-1B visas with a weighted selection process based on salary levels and qualifications.indiatoday.inindiatoday.inH-1B visa: Weighted H-1B visa system might end lottery-based model after DHS...
businesstoday.inbusinesstoday.inTrump admin pushes H 1B overhaul; new rule may reward top salaries, sideline...
This proposal aims to prioritize applicants who command higher wages in their occupations and geographic areas, effectively favoring more skilled and better-paid foreign workers. The policy is framed as an effort to protect U.S. Jobs and ensure that visas go to the most qualified candidates rather than being allocated by chance.
However, the final details of the rule and its implementation timeline remain subject to regulatory processes and potential legal challenges.businesstoday.inbusinesstoday.inTrump admin pushes H 1B overhaul; new rule may reward top salaries, sideline... The characterization of the current lottery as 'unfair' is subjective but commonly used in political discourse advocating for merit-based immigration reforms. Overall, the claim accurately reflects ongoing policy proposals and intentions during the Trump administration but should be understood as a proposed change rather than a fully implemented policy at this time.