A new proposal in the United States could bring major changes to the country’s H-1B visa programme, which is widely used by skilled foreign professionals to work in sectors like technology and engineering.
A Republican senator has introduced the “End H-1B Abuse Act”, which proposes a three-year suspension on issuing new H-1B visas along with stricter rules for future applicants.
If passed, the changes could have a significant impact on thousands of foreign workers, especially professionals from India, which has one of the largest shares of H-1B visa holders.
Three-Year Pause and Lower Visa Limit Proposed
The proposed Bill aims to stop issuing new H-1B visas for three years.
After this pause, the programme would restart with stricter eligibility rules and a much lower annual visa limit.
Currently, the US issues up to 85,000 H-1B visas every year:
65,000 visas for regular applicants
20,000 visas for people with advanced degrees from US institutions
The new proposal seeks to reduce this number to just 25,000 visas annually.
The Bill also suggests replacing the current lottery-based selection system with a wage-based system, where jobs offering higher salaries would receive preference.
Higher Salary Requirement and Large Visa Fee
One of the biggest proposed changes is the introduction of a minimum salary requirement.
The Bill suggests that H-1B workers should receive a minimum annual salary of USD 200,000.
It also proposes bringing back a USD 100,000 fee for each H-1B petition.
A similar policy had previously faced legal challenges and was rejected by a US federal court.
Supporters of the proposal argue that these steps would prevent misuse of the visa system and ensure that only highly specialised jobs qualify.
Other Major Changes Proposed in the Bill
The legislation includes several other changes that could reshape skilled immigration rules in the US.
Some major proposals include:
Ending the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme for international students.
Preventing H-1B visa holders from bringing dependants.
Removing the dual intent provision, which currently allows H-1B holders to seek permanent residency.
Banning third-party staffing arrangements and multiple employment models.
Stopping federal agencies from hiring or sponsoring non-immigrant visa holders.
Impact on Indian IT Professionals
Indian professionals are among the biggest beneficiaries of the H-1B visa programme, especially in the technology sector.
Any major restrictions could affect:
Software engineers
IT professionals
Researchers
Students planning careers in the US
However, the proposal is still in the early stages of the legislative process.
It must pass through both the US Senate and the House of Representatives before reaching the President for final approval.
Future of the H-1B Programme Remains Unclear
Immigration experts believe the Bill may face a long approval process, and significant changes could be made before it becomes law.
While the proposal highlights ongoing debates around protecting American jobs and attracting global talent, there is currently no certainty that these changes will be implemented.
Indian professionals and companies that depend on the H-1B programme are expected to closely follow developments as the Bill moves through Congress.
