The US is changing the H-1B visa lottery system to be based on wage levels, removing the old random draw. The higher the wage an H-1B applicant commands, the better their chance in the lottery. There are four wage levels: Level I for entry jobs, Level II for experienced roles, Level III for specialized positions, and Level IV for senior skilled jobs. Each level gets more lottery entries and better odds—up to over 60% for Level IV. However, Indian-origin attorney Rahul Reddy warns that a new $100,000 filing fee for applications from outside the US could spoil this good news. "Even if a role qualifies for a higher wage level and stronger lottery odds, the cost of entry changes employer behavior," he said. Employers may think twice before applying, not just about chances but about the high cost itself. If fewer overseas applications come in, the whole applicant pool shrinks. This could mean the promised lottery odds won’t match reality. Reddy explains, "Higher odds do not matter if demand falls. If overseas filings decline sharply, the pool shrinks, and projected selection percentages may no longer reflect real-world outcomes." This fee might cause companies to avoid H-1B hiring, hurting chances for Indian and other international workers.