Washington, July 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Republican senator has introduced legislation in the US Senate seeking a three-year suspension on the issuance of new H-1B visas, alongside sweeping reforms aimed at significantly tightening the country’s skilled worker visa programme.
Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana unveiled the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, arguing that the programme has strayed from its original purpose of addressing genuine shortages in specialised occupations and is now being used to replace qualified American workers with lower-cost foreign labour.
If enacted, the bill would pause new H-1B visa issuance for three years before restarting the programme under stricter eligibility criteria and a reduced annual cap of 25,000 visas. It also proposes replacing the existing lottery system with a wage-based selection process and introducing a $100,000 fee for each H-1B petition, in line with a proposal backed by President Donald Trump.
Among its key provisions, the legislation would require employers to certify that no qualified American workers are available before hiring foreign nationals, set a minimum annual salary of $200,000 for H-1B workers, and limit visa validity to three years.
The bill also seeks to end the “dual intent” provision that allows H-1B holders to pursue permanent residency while working in the United States. Additional measures include banning staffing agencies from sponsoring H-1B workers, prohibiting concurrent employment with multiple employers, restricting dependants from accompanying H-class visa holders, and eliminating employment authorisation programmes for many foreign students and exchange visitors.
Sheehy said the legislation is intended to protect American jobs, curb abuse of the H-1B programme and address national security concerns. The proposal has received support from the Immigration Accountability Project and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).
The H-1B visa remains the primary US work visa for highly skilled foreign professionals, with Indian nationals accounting for the largest share of beneficiaries in recent years.
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