US Republicans Introduce Bill To Pause H-1B Visa Programme

A group of Republican lawmakers in the United States has introduced a new bill that aims to pause the H-1B visa programme for three years. The proposal, led by Congressman Eli Crane, argues that the current system is being misused by large corporations to hire cheaper foreign workers instead of qualified American employees. The bill is called the “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026” and includes several major changes that could significantly reshape the visa programme if passed.

One of the key provisions of the bill is a sharp reduction in the number of H-1B visas issued each year. Currently, the annual cap is 65,000, but the proposed legislation seeks to lower it to just 25,000. In addition, the bill introduces a minimum salary requirement of $200,000 per year for H-1B workers. Lawmakers believe this step will ensure that companies only hire foreign workers for highly specialized roles where there is a genuine shortage of American talent.

The bill also proposes replacing the current lottery-based system with a wage-based selection process. This means applicants offering higher salaries would be given priority, which supporters say would discourage companies from hiring cheaper labour from abroad. Employers would also need to prove that they could not find a qualified American worker for the position and confirm that they have not recently laid off US employees.

Another major change includes restrictions on how H-1B workers can be employed. The bill seeks to ban third-party staffing agencies from hiring visa holders and would prevent workers from taking multiple jobs. It also proposes stopping H-1B visa holders from bringing dependents to the United States, which could significantly impact many families, especially those from countries like India.

In addition to these changes, the legislation aims to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which currently allows international students to work temporarily in the US after completing their studies. The bill also wants to ensure that nonimmigrant visas remain strictly temporary by preventing H-1B holders from transitioning to permanent residency (green cards).

Supporters of the bill argue that these reforms are necessary to protect American jobs and reduce what they describe as unfair competition. They claim that some companies have been using the programme to replace local workers with lower-cost foreign employees. However, critics of such proposals often argue that the H-1B programme plays a crucial role in filling skill gaps, especially in sectors like technology and healthcare, where demand for talent is high.

The bill is still in the early stages and will need to pass through Congress before becoming law. If approved, it could have a major impact on global talent mobility and on thousands of professionals, particularly from India, who rely on the H-1B visa to work in the United States.