A new US immigration Bill introduced on Wednesday by Congressman Eli Crane has raised fresh questions about the future of the H-1B visa programme. The proposal, supported by several House Republicans, calls for a three-year pause on issuing new H-1B visas. Supporters say this break would give lawmakers time to fully rebuild the system. However, critics warn that the Bill could seriously affect workers, students and companies that depend on skilled foreign talent.
For now, the Bill has only been introduced and still has a long way to go before it can become law.
What does the Bill propose?
The proposal would change the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. It suggests a three-year pause during which no new H-1B visas would be issued. Current visa holders would gradually leave the United States during this period.
After the pause, the programme would return in a smaller form, with stricter rules and fewer visas.
The Bill also includes:
• Cutting the yearly H-1B cap from 65,000 to 25,000 and removing exemptions
• Replacing the lottery system with a wage-based selection process
• Making employers prove they cannot find a qualified American worker and have not carried out layoffs
• Setting a minimum H-1B salary of USD 200,000 per year
• Stopping H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs and limiting third-party staffing firms
• Preventing H-1B workers from bringing family members to the US
• Banning federal agencies from hiring or sponsoring nonimmigrant workers
• Ending Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Blocking H-1B holders from applying for permanent residency
• Requiring nonimmigrants to leave the US before changing visa status
What have supporters said?
“The federal government should work for hardworking citizens, not the profit margins of massive corporations. We owe it to the American people to prevent the broken H-1B system from boxing them out of jobs they are qualified to perform. The End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 would provide greater access to employment, strengthen protocols in the visa process, and prioritise the livelihoods of Americans. I’m honoured to introduce this legislation, and I’m grateful for those who raised awareness about this flawed process,” said Eli Crane.
“I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Eli Crane’s efforts to reform and tighten our H-1B visa system, ensuring that our immigration system serves American workers first before foreigners,” said Brandon Gill.
“The H-1B programme has been hijacked to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labour-plain and simple. This Bill slams the brakes on a system that’s rigged against our own people and puts American jobs first again. If a company can hire an American, they should. No loopholes. No excuses. We’re done subsidising the outsourcing of our own workforce,” said Paul Gosar.
“American workers are being replaced, and cheap foreign labour is the cause. We will not bow down to the corporations, and we will not let Americans become strangers in their own country. End the H-1B scam,” said Andy Ogles.
“This is the strongest H-1B Bill that has ever been introduced in Congress. H-1B visas were sold to the American people as a short-term visa to fill temporary labour gaps while Americans are trained to take those jobs. This Bill makes that a reality by reducing the caps and raising the costs, ending OPT, prohibiting adjustment of status, and banning third-party employment, all after a three-year pause on the issuance of any H-1B visas,” said Rosemary Jenks.
What changes are proposed to visa limits and stay rules?
At present, 65,000 H-1B visas are issued each year under the standard cap. The Bill proposes cutting this to 25,000 and removing current exemptions.
The length of stay would also be reduced. Right now, many H-1B workers can stay for up to six years in two three-year periods. Under the new plan, this would be limited to just one three-year term.
Applicants would also need to keep a residence outside the United States and show that they plan to return home after their visa ends.
What would this mean for employers?
Employers would face stricter rules before hiring foreign workers.
They would need to confirm:
• No qualified American worker is available
• Hiring a foreign worker will not harm US workers
• No layoffs took place in the past year
• No layoffs will happen in the next year
The Bill also sets a minimum salary of USD 200,000 for H-1B workers.
How would the selection system change?
The current lottery system used by US Citizenship and Immigration Services would be replaced.
Instead of random selection, visas would be given based on the highest salaries offered. Higher-paying roles would get priority if the Bill becomes law.
In February, Greg Steube introduced another Bill called the ‘Ending Exploitative Imported Labour Exemptions Act’ or EXILE Act.
This proposal also aims to change the Immigration and Nationality Act, but goes further by seeking to end the H-1B visa programme completely.