The U.S. is implementing significant changes to the H-1B visa selection process, shifting from a random lottery to a wage-weighted system for the March 2026 registration cycle. This new system prioritizes applicants in higher-paid jobs, a move that could face legal challenges. Separately, a federal judge upheld the Trump administration's authority to impose a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B petitions. These changes are expected to significantly impact Indian professionals, who constitute the largest group of H-1B applicants.