Starting Friday, January 17th, the United States’ H-1B visa will implement new rules as part of one of the final immigration policy changes for the Biden administration. The new rules will streamline the approval process, have applicants prove they hold a degree or similar qualifications, and allow for more oversight of the program. It will also allow students who are in the country on an F-1 visa to continue working in the states while their application is pending. The H-1B visa is one of the most competitive, with big tech companies among the largest recipients.
There are also changes being implemented to the H-2 and H-2B programs, for temporary agricultural workers and temporary non-agricultural workers, that will have better protections for migrants against employer abuse.
See "New H-1B Visa Rules: How US Companies, Employees Could Be Affected", Dan Gooding, Newsweek, January 17, 2025