Do you think the lottery system for H1B Visa selection is fair, or should it be replaced with a merit-based system focusing on skills, experience, and salary levels?
I actually think the lottery system has its merits. The problem with a purely merit-based system is that it might end up favoring only people from elite universities or those with high-paying offers, which would reduce diversity in the workforce. The H1B Visa shouldn’t only be about bringing in the “best of the best,” but also about addressing a range of skill gaps. A lottery keeps the process democratic — everyone has at least a shot, whether they’re an Ivy League graduate or someone from a mid-tier college with solid technical skills. Instead of scrapping the lottery, I’d suggest a hybrid approach: part lottery, part merit. For example, reserve a portion of slots for high-skilled applicants based on salary or education, and let the rest be open via lottery. This way, the system balances fairness with skill prioritization.
The current lottery system for H1B Visa selection feels like a gamble with people’s futures. Imagine spending months preparing, finding an employer, and getting your hopes up, only to lose out because of pure chance. For something as life-changing as immigration, that feels unfair. A merit-based system would make much more sense. Candidates with higher education, specialized skills, or experience in industries facing real labor shortages should be prioritized. For example, someone with a PhD in AI or a surgeon filling a shortage in rural hospitals should not be placed in the same pool as a fresh graduate with minimal experience. The lottery method also encourages mass applications from outsourcing companies, flooding the system and reducing chances for genuinely deserving applicants. A merit-based system would cut through this noise and ensure the U.S. gets the best talent. Ultimately, that benefits both the economy and fairness.
The lottery system is fundamentally flawed because it ignores real market needs. U.S. employers file petitions because they can’t find local talent, yet the government randomly decides who gets through. That’s inefficient. A better solution would be a points-based system like Canada or Australia use. Applicants are ranked based on education, experience, job offer details, and even adaptability factors. The highest scorers get visas. This ensures the U.S. brings in people who can contribute the most. The current random system wastes both employer resources and applicants’ lives. It’s time to modernize.