Impact of 2017 H-1B rule on Silicon Valley jobs

The April 2017 H-1B visa regulation changes under the Trump administration made it harder, not easier, for software engineers to find jobs in Silicon Valley on an H-1B visa. Here’s why:

Key Changes in April 2017

Higher Scrutiny on H-1B Applications

The USCIS increased scrutiny on H-1B applications, especially for entry-level positions.

More Requests for Evidence (RFEs) were issued, delaying processing.

Targeting IT & Consulting Firms

The government discouraged outsourcing companies (like TCS, Infosys, Wipro) from filing bulk H-1B applications.

Startups and smaller tech firms had a harder time sponsoring visas.

Preference for Highly Skilled Workers

The focus shifted to highly skilled roles (e.g., AI, cybersecurity) rather than generic software engineering jobs.

Salary-Based Selection

The rule prioritized higher wages, making it tougher for junior developers to get visas.

Impact on Software Engineering Jobs in Silicon Valley

❌ Finding H-1B jobs became harder, especially for entry-level or mid-tier engineers.

✅ Highly skilled professionals (e.g., AI, ML, cloud specialists) had better chances.

❌ Startups struggled to sponsor H-1B visas due to increased costs and paperwork.

Current Situation (2024 & Beyond)

The Biden administration eased some restrictions, but demand still far exceeds supply.

The 2024 H-1B visa process is lottery-based, so securing a job does not guarantee a visa.

Many companies prefer U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, or alternative visas (L-1, O-1) due to uncertainty.

Best Strategy for Software Engineers

Gain expertise in AI, ML, cloud computing, cybersecurity for higher approval chances.

Look for direct H-1B sponsors (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Tesla, etc.).

Consider alternative pathways (L-1 intra-company transfer, O-1 for extraordinary ability, EB-2 NIW for Green Card).

Would you like a list of top H-1B sponsors in Silicon Valley?