The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has capped the number of H-1B visas at 65,000 annually, down from 85,000, and will separately issue 20,000 visas to individuals with U.S. master's or doctoral degrees.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized on the 23rd (local time) a plan to prioritize high-wage and high-skilled workers for H-1B visas, rather than using a lottery system.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has capped the number of H-1B visas at 65,000 annually, down from 85,000, and will separately issue 20,000 visas to individuals with U.S. master's or doctoral degrees.

Furthermore, the abolition of the previous random lottery system and the prioritization of high-wage, high-skilled workers are intended to firmly establish a policy of selecting skilled workers.

Since there is no separate dedicated quota for H-1B visas, India accounts for over 70% of recipients, while Koreans make up only about 1% (approximately 2,000 cases). Consequently, South Korea is expected to face even fiercer employment competition with individuals from China.

Discussions continue regarding the establishment of a dedicated professional visa for Koreans, the E-4 (Partner with Korea Act), but the legislative process has not yet been completed, leaving a continued high reliance on H-1B visas.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has imposed an additional fee of $100,000 (approximately 130 million KRW) per application on companies applying for new H-1B visas. This is expected to pose a significant financial burden for Korean small and medium-sized enterprises and startups looking to enter the U.S. and dispatch personnel.

Meanwhile, the H-1B visa registration system typically opens around March each year, and if approved, actual employment can commence from October 1st of the same year. The initial visa duration granted is three years, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of six years.

Currently, applicants for H-1B and H-4 visas are subject to enhanced background checks, including having all social media accounts set to public during the application period.

By Reporter Lim Yo-hee