‘Great’: Elon Musk Backs Donald Trump Move To Reshape H-1B Visa System

Last Updated:July 22, 2025, 19:53 IST

The Donald Trump administration proposed an overhaul of the H-1B visa program, aiming to prioritize higher-paid, highly-skilled workers.

A file photo of Elon Musk (AP)

The Donald Trump administration proposed a major overhaul of the H-1B visa program, aiming to replace the current random lottery system with a “weighted selection process" that could prioritize higher-paid and highly-skilled foreign workers.

The proposal, filed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would apply to the capped category of H-1B visas- which is currently limited to 85,000 new visas annually, including 20,000 set aside for applicants with advanced degrees from US institutions.

The DHS proposal has been submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review and is expected to favour candidates based on wage levels, rather than selecting recipients at random.

Elon Musk Backs New H-1B Visa Proposal

Reacting to the proposal, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk posted a one-word response on X (formerly Twitter), “Great." The tech boss has previously described the H-1B system as “broken" and pledged to “go to war on this issue." He earlier said, “I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform." The proposed changes align with Elon Musk’s longstanding calls for a merit-based immigration system that prioritizes skill and innovation.

How Could New H-1B Changes Impact Indian Applicants?

The overhaul could have a major impact on Indian nationals, who are by far the largest group of H-1B beneficiaries as 77% of approved H-1B petitions in the latest round went to Indian citizens. In 2023, Indians made up over 70% of the approved visas. Under the current system, all applicants are treated equally in a random lottery conducted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS- disregarding applicants’ skill levels and salary offers. The DHS has yet to disclose how exactly the proposed system would be weighted or when the changes would take effect if approved.

Location :

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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News world ‘Great’: Elon Musk Backs Donald Trump Move To Reshape H-1B Visa System