H-1B Visa Updates and Employer Strategies for 2026

The H-1B visa lets U.S. employers temporarily hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations that need theoretical or technical expertise. It is one of the most used employment-based visa categories and a key part of workforce planning, especially in STEM.

This 60-minute H-1B visa updates webinar explains the recent changes to sponsorship: the finalized beneficiary-centric lottery, new fee structures including the $100,000 visa fee, expanded eligibility for entrepreneurs, and the proposed wage-level weighted lottery.

You'll get practical strategies for the updated selection process, employer compliance duties and supporting entrepreneurial candidates, so HR and talent acquisition teams can make confident hiring decisions.

• Explain the purpose and eligibility criteria of the H-1B visa
• Navigate the beneficiary-centric lottery and avoid duplicate entries
• Identify employer compliance duties, including documentation and site inspection readiness
• Assess the impact of the $100,000 visa fee and the proposed wage-level weighted lottery
• Evaluate H-1B eligibility for entrepreneurs

• The purpose and eligibility criteria of the H-1B visa, including changing definitions of specialty occupation
• The beneficiary-centric lottery: avoiding duplicate entries and selection trends
• Employer compliance duties: documentation, SEVIS coordination and site inspection readiness
• Recent updates, including the $100,000 visa fee and the proposed wage-level weighted lottery
• H-1B eligibility for entrepreneurs and governance structures that meet employer-employee relationship standards

Changing H-1B rules can disrupt your ability to hire global talent. This session helps you manage the updated lottery, understand the impact of the $100,000 fee, prepare for possible wage-level prioritization and strengthen compliance.

It suits HR specialists and leaders, HR business partners, talent acquisition leaders, payroll specialists, benefits administrators, employee relations specialists and operations managers.

• Human Resources specialists and leaders
• Payroll Specialists
• HR Business Partners
• Talent Acquisition leaders
• Benefits Administrators
• Employee Relations specialists
• Operations Managers

Melveen Stevenson is the CEO and founder of M.S. Elemental, LLC, a human resources and business advisory firm. As a certified HR professional with a background in accounting and finance, she helps companies to navigate the human resources “jungle” of compliance, human capital, and leadership challenges. In doing so, she empowers companies to strengthen their infrastructure from the inside out, specifically through leadership development, operations, training, employee engagement, and executive coaching.

Melveen speaks on key topics to empower companies with the latest research and best practices for increasing engagement, enhancing leadership presence, and optimizing diverse workforce groups.

Over the last 20 years, Melveen has held leadership positions in human resources operations, supply chain, and talent management at international companies in food manufacturing, medical devices, and consumer products. She has spent most of her career in California, and has expertise in the state’s complicated employment regulations.

Melveen is certified through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) and the Human Resources Certification Institute (SPHR).  She is also a faculty member at California State University-Dominguez Hills.