U.S. bill proposes 3-year freeze on H-1B visas, sweeping immigration changes

A new immigration bill introduced by US Congressman Eli Crane has triggered fresh debate over the future of the H-1B visa programme. Backed by several Republican lawmakers, the proposal seeks a three-year suspension on issuing new H-1B visas, with supporters arguing it would provide time to overhaul the system.

Critics reportedly warn that the move could disrupt businesses, skilled workers, and international students who rely on the programs. The bill is currently in its initial stage and has not yet been passed into law.

The proposed legislation aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, halting new H-1B visas for three years while gradually phasing out existing visa holders. After the pause, the program would resume with stricter limits, including a reduced annual cap of 25,000 visas, down from the current 65,000, and the removal of existing exemptions.

The bill also proposes shortening the duration of H-1B visas to a single three-year term. Applicants would be required to maintain a residence outside the United States and demonstrate intent to return home after their stay. Employers, meanwhile, would need to certify that no qualified American worker is available for the job and that hiring foreign workers would not negatively affect domestic employment. Companies would also be required to confirm that they have not carried out layoffs in the past year and will not do so in the following year. In addition, the proposal sets a minimum salary requirement of $200,000 for H-1B workers.

Another key provision in the bill is the removal of the current lottery system used to allocate H-1B visas. Instead, visas would be granted based on the highest wages offered, giving priority to higher-paying jobs. The proposal also bars H-1B workers from working for multiple employers and prohibits third-party staffing agencies from hiring them. It further seeks to make permanent a $100,000 fee for hiring each foreign worker, a policy linked to former US President Donald Trump.

Beyond the H-1B programme, the bill includes wider immigration restrictions. It proposes limiting the ability of temporary visa holders, including H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B workers, to bring family members to the United States. It also aims to tighten pathways to permanent residency by requiring individuals to leave the country before applying for a change in visa status.

The proposal further seeks to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international students to work in the US after graduation, as well as eliminate work permits for H-4 visa holders, affecting spouses of H-1B workers.

The bill has received backing from several Republican lawmakers, including Brian Babin and Senator Mike Lee, who has expressed support for a temporary pause on the H-1B programme. According to the proposal, the changes are intended to prevent misuse of visa rules, such as switching categories to extend stays in the United States. The measure is expected to face significant debate in Congress, and its future remains uncertain.