US Lawmakers Seek To Pause H-1B Visas for 3 Years

Hyderabad: A new Bill introduced in the United States Congress by Republican representatives is seeking to pause the H-1B visa programme for three years, raising sharp debates about its political intent and chances of success.

The legislation — titled the “End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026” — has been introduced by Republican representative Eli Crane (Arizona) and is backed by several lawmakers, including Keith Self (Texas). The proposal calls for a temporary halt on issuing new H-1B visas, along with sweeping reforms to the system once the pause ends.

According to the details of the Bill, the three-year pause is only one part of a broader overhaul. It also suggests cutting the annual visa cap, replacing the lottery system with a wage-based selection process, and imposing stricter conditions on employers hiring foreign workers.

The Bill further proposes ending pathways such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) and restricting dependents of visa holders from entering the country.

The visa cap, which currently stands at 65,000 visas, is proposed to be reduced to 25,000, with the existing visa cap exemptions to be removed. Additionally, H-1B holders will only be given one three-year term, instead of the usual two terms.

Furthermore, the proposal read that applicants have to verify they have a foreign residence to which they will return after their visa term is up, instead of continuing to live in the United States as an illegal alien.

The proposal added stricter measures for employers as well. If passed, companies not only have to pay at least $ 2,00,000 per year in salaries, but they should also attest in writing that they could not find a qualified American worker for the position for which they’re hiring an H-1B holder. They should also affirm that the foreign applicant will not affect American workers, and the company has not laid off any workers in the past year and will not lay off anyone else in the following year.

Supporters of the legislation argue that the current H-1B system disadvantages American workers. In a public statement, Crane said the reforms are aimed at ensuring that the government “prioritises the livelihoods of Americans” over corporate interests.

However, immigration analysts and policy experts have expressed strong doubts about the Bill’s future. Similar proposals in the past have struggled to gain bipartisan support in Congress, and many observers believe this measure is unlikely to advance beyond the early stages.

Rajeswar Rao, an immigration expert based in the United States, said the proposal is nothing but a political stunt. “This bill is unlikely to pass in its current form. It is curated as an election-season stunt, rather than an actual policy shift. Major immigration changes require broad support, which this proposal does not appear to have.”

The timing of the Bill has also raised questions. With mid-term elections approaching in the United States, analysts said immigration remains a key political issue, often used by lawmakers to appeal to domestic voters concerned about jobs and economic security.

But if implemented and passed, the proposed changes can pose major risk for Indian professional talent aiming towards the United States. According to the Pew Research Centre, 73 per cent of approved H-1B workers in the fiscal year of 2023 were from India, and a majority of approvals every year since 2010 have gone to workers from India.