H-1B Lottery 2024–2025: What You Need to Know About Fraud Concerns and Proposed Changes
With the start of the new fiscal year, many foreign professionals are preparing for the upcoming H-1B lottery for the 2024–2025 season. However, this year’s process has been overshadowed by ongoing investigations and adjustments related to the additional round of lottery selections. These issues stem largely from widespread fraud involving duplicate registrations submitted on behalf of the same individuals earlier in the year.
The Reality of Fraudulent Multiple Registrations
Fraud in the H-1B system is unfortunately not new, but the scale of abuse in the last lottery shocked both applicants and employers. Public reports from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revealed an estimated 400,000 fraudulent registrations—nearly half of all filings. Even more concerning, much of this misconduct was concentrated among a small group of petitioners, validating long-standing concerns that the system was vulnerable to manipulation.
In response, USCIS had already been considering reforms. Before this scandal unfolded, the agency proposed raising the H-1B registration fee from a minimal $10 to $210 per entry. According to USCIS, this increase will help strengthen system integrity and fund improvements to detect and prevent fraud. As the H-1B community awaits final rulemaking, additional proposals are also being debated that aim to address weaknesses in the current lottery design.
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One Registration Per Applicant
Organizations such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and technology labor advocacy groups have long called for reforming the lottery to allow only one registration per applicant. Currently, the system allows an individual to be entered multiple times through different employers, giving some applicants an unfair advantage. Supporters of this change argue that USCIS already collects passport data, which is unique to each individual, and that implementing a one-person-one-ticket system would be straightforward and equitable.
👉 Looking for answers to common questions? Read our [H-1B Frequently Asked Questions guide].
Prioritization Based on Higher Wages
Another proposed reform is to prioritize H-1B petitions offering higher wages. Critics of the current process argue that this would protect U.S. workers by discouraging employers from offering artificially low salaries to foreign talent. By giving preference to higher wage levels, the system would encourage fairer pay practices while still allowing U.S. companies to recruit highly skilled workers.
Moving Toward a Fairer H-1B System
These discussions represent only part of the broader conversation about reforming the H-1B program. Whether through fee increases, fraud prevention measures, or wage-based prioritization, the goal is to ensure the system remains both fair and effective. The recent exposure of fraudulent practices may finally provide the momentum needed for lasting change.
At the end of the day, these reforms aim to strike a balance: protecting U.S. workers while ensuring that American businesses can continue to access the global talent they need.
If you are preparing for the H-1B lottery or have concerns about how these changes may impact your case, it is highly recommended to schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney at Green Card Link. Our team can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate the complexities of this evolving process.