Here is the requirement from gov website for H1B<p>"The H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant aliens as workers in specialty occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability."<p>For companies looking for extraordinary talent, this rule boon.<p>Companies tring to hire cheap labour will have difficult time facing the new rule.
This reminds me of the minimum wage dispute.<p>Society steps in to bargain for workers if it believes the typical worker’s decision making is actually harming society.<p>E.g. taking 7$/hr jobs without benefits depresses wages of local workers, etc.
$208k minimum salary does seem a little steep in order to justify hiring a foreign worker over an American. But, at least I like that startups are saying "it's too expensive" rather than "there's a talent shortage!" There's never been a "talent shortage." There's been a lack of incentive for said talent to join tech companies. Money is an easy way to make up for said lack of incentive, but companies don't want to open their wallets enough to get rid of the "talent shortage."