Trump changes high-tech visa system, making it less attractive for employers

The Trump administration announced changes to the H-1B visa program Thursday that would make the process more favorable toward the most highly educated applicants who can demand higher salaries. That’s likely to make the program less attractive to businesses seeking only applicants who hold bachelor’s degrees or their equivalent.

Since demand for the visas far exceeds supply, the program grants the degrees through a lottery system. Applicants are sponsored by U.S. companies. The administration will make the visas that are open to all applicants the first to be distributed. Visas for a separate, advance degree category will follow, reversing the prior process.