L'USCIS modifie le tirage au sort des visas H-1B pour adopter une sélection basée sur le salaire

Kris Quadros-Ragar • January 15, 2026

 Click here to read this article in English


Les Services de citoyenneté et d'immigration des États-Unis (USCIS) ont annoncé un changement majeur dans le processus de sélection des visas H-1B. En vertu d'une règle définitive publiée le 29 décembre 2025, l'USCIS remplacera le système traditionnel de tirage au sort aléatoire des visas H-1B par un système de sélection pondéré en fonction du salaire qui favorise les postes mieux rémunérés et plus complexes.


La règle devrait entrer en vigueur le 27 février 2026, juste avant la saison d'enregistrement des visas H-1B pour l'année fiscale 2027, sauf si elle est retardée par des contestations judiciaires. Si elle est mise en œuvre, l'USCIS devrait publier des directives supplémentaires expliquant comment les employeurs doivent soumettre leurs demandes dans le cadre du processus révisé.


Ce changement marque l'une des réformes les plus importantes du programme H-1B ces dernières années. Jusqu'en 2025, toutes les inscriptions étaient traitées de manière égale une fois le plafond annuel atteint. Dans le cadre du nouveau système, les chances de sélection seront liées aux niveaux de salaire basés sur les données du ministère américain du Travail relatives à l'emploi et aux salaires. Toutes les inscriptions H-1B seront toujours placées dans un seul pool de sélection, mais les inscriptions liées à des niveaux de salaire plus élevés recevront plusieurs entrées dans ce pool, ce qui augmentera leurs chances d'être sélectionnées. Les niveaux de salaire plus bas recevront moins d'entrées, ce qui rendra la sélection moins probable, mais pas impossible.


Les niveaux de salaire H-1B ne sont pas déterminés uniquement par le salaire. Chaque niveau de salaire reflète la complexité du poste, le niveau de responsabilité impliqué, ainsi que la formation et l'expérience requises. Les postes de débutants impliquant des tâches routinières et une supervision étroite sont généralement classés au niveau de salaire le plus bas, tandis que les postes exigeant un jugement indépendant, des compétences avancées et des responsabilités importantes se situent dans les niveaux de salaire les plus élevés. Le niveau de salaire le plus élevé est réservé aux postes qui impliquent des connaissances spécialisées, une prise de décision stratégique et une autorité technique ou un leadership important.


L'USCIS devrait examiner de près les demandes sélectionnées afin de s'assurer que le niveau de salaire déclaré lors de l'enregistrement est justifié par les tâches et le salaire proposés dans la demande. Toute divergence entre l'enregistrement et la demande peut donner lieu à des demandes de preuves, des refus ou des mesures coercitives.


Avec la suppression du tirage au sort purement aléatoire, les employeurs doivent commencer à se préparer tôt en évaluant soigneusement les descriptions de poste, les niveaux de salaire et la stratégie globale en matière de visas H-1B. Une classification précise et une planification réfléchie seront essentielles dans le cadre de ce nouveau système de sélection basé sur les salaires.


Si vous êtes un employeur envisageant de parrainer un visa H-1B ou un professionnel étranger vous demandant si votre poste peut être éligible dans le cadre du nouveau système basé sur les salaires, il est plus important que jamais de consulter un avocat spécialisé en immigration. Santos Lloyd Law conseille activement ses clients sur les inscriptions au plafond H-1B et la stratégie à adopter dans le cadre des nouvelles règles. Pour discuter de vos options ou déterminer si vous pouvez être éligible, contactez notre cabinet pour prendre rendez-vous pour une consultation.


Ce blog n'est pas destiné à fournir des conseils juridiques et rien ici ne doit être interprété comme établissant une relation avocat-client. Veuillez prendre rendez-vous avec un avocat spécialisé en droit de l'immigration avant d'agir sur la base de toute information lue ici.

Kris Quadros-Ragar

Flavia Santos Lloyd Named to the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation

By Santos Lloyd Team • October 8, 2026
Santos Lloyd Law Firm takes great pride in announcing that Partner Flavia Santos Lloyd has been invited to join the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. As a highly selective global network, the organization recognizes legal professionals across both the public and private sectors who embody the absolute highest standards of the practice. Admission to this distinguished group highlights Flavia’s outstanding legal career, professional integrity, and deep impact on the legal community. Our team celebrates Flavia on this well-deserved recognition!

UPDATE: Federal Court Postpones DHS Rule Eliminating “Duration of Status” (D/S)

By Juliana LaMendola • September 22, 2026
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security , halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that was scheduled to eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) on September 15, 2026. As a result of this nationwide order, DHS is blocked from enforcing fixed periods of admission for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I media representatives while the litigation moves forward. Because the current “duration of status” framework remains in full effect, F, J, and I visa holders are not required to file Form I-539 extension of stay applications to remain in valid status beyond program end dates at this time. Furthermore, restrictions on academic transfers, constraints on enrolling in second programs at the same degree level, 240-day caps on continued employment while extensions are pending, and shortened grace periods do not apply during the injunction. F-1 nonimmigrants retain the full 60-day post-completion grace period, and J-1 holders maintain their 30-day grace period. However, please note that this preliminary injunction is not a final ruling invalidating the rule , and a status conference is scheduled for October 2, 2026, to determine next steps in the litigation. Immediate Practice Tips: Inspect I-94 Travel Records Upon Reentry: F, J, and I visa holders currently admitted under D/S retain their status and should continue to be readmitted under D/S following international travel until the injunction is lifted. However, because the I-94 record controls legal stay, travelers must inspect their CBP-issued Form I-94 immediately upon reentry to confirm the "Admit Until Date" states "D/S" rather than a specific expiration date. If a specific date is mistakenly recorded, contact a local CPB Deferred Inspection Site. Notify HR and Review Workplace Compliance: Employers sponsoring F-1 or J-1 employees should inform HR and hiring managers that the September 15 fixed-period rule is postponed and standard D/S rules govern. This development does not alter standard filing windows or Form I-9 verification procedures for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extensions.  Maintain Operational Readiness and Defer Unnecessary Filings: Visa holders and employers should defer travel or filing strategy decisions made solely in anticipation of the fixed-admission rule. Because DHS may appeal or the court could alter the timeline on short notice, institutions and visa holders should maintain readiness to adjust plans if implementation resumes. There are many evolving components to this litigation. If you are an F-1, J-1, or I visa holder, sponsoring institution, or employer, you should proactively coordinate with your international student office and legal counsel to protect your status and monitor upcoming court proceedings.

DHS Final Rule Eliminating “Duration of Status” (D/S): Practice Tips and Transition Procedures

By Juliana LaMendola • September 3, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits.  There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.
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