A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives could bring sweeping changes to the H-1B visa program, including a temporary halt on new visas and stricter rules for employers and applicants.
The legislation, titled the “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026,” has been proposed by Eli Crane. It calls for a complete suspension of new H-1B visas for three years, followed by major reforms once the program resumes.
Under the proposal, the annual H-1B cap would be reduced from 65,000 to 25,000. Exemptions currently available under the system would be removed, and visas would be limited to a single three-year term with no extensions.
The bill also places stricter conditions on employers. Companies would need to prove that no qualified American workers are available for the role before hiring foreign professionals. In addition, employers must confirm that they have not conducted recent layoffs of U.S. employees in similar positions.
A significant change proposed is the shift from the existing lottery system to a wage-based selection process. The bill sets a high minimum salary threshold of $200,000 for H-1B workers, aiming to prioritize highly paid, specialized roles. It also seeks to ban third-party staffing firms from employing H-1B visa holders.
Further tightening the system, the proposal introduces a hefty $100,000 fee for each H-1B petition, including for workers switching jobs. It also includes measures to bar H-1B holders from bringing dependents, eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, and prevent visa holders from transitioning to permanent residency.
In another major shift, the bill mandates that nonimmigrant visa holders must leave the U.S. before changing their
visa status, adding another layer of restriction to the immigration process.
Supporters argue that these reforms are necessary to protect American workers and address perceived misuse of the system. Critics, however, warn that such stringent measures could disrupt industries that rely heavily on global talent.
Originally established under the Immigration Act of 1990, the H-1B visa program enables U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields, with Indian nationals forming the largest group of beneficiaries.
If passed, this bill could significantly reshape the future of skilled immigration to the United States, especially impacting thousands of aspiring professionals worldwide.
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