Major Changes Proposed for H-1B Visa Program: What You Need to Know

A new proposal in the US Congress aims to overhaul the H-1B visa program, eliminating its pathway to permanent residency and introducing significant changes. Congressman Chip Roy's American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act seeks to prioritize American workers and address concerns about the program's impact on the job market. The bill has garnered support from various organizations and reflects ongoing debates about immigration and labor in the United States. Key changes include reducing the visa duration and requiring applicants to maintain a residence abroad. Read on to learn more about the implications of this legislation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 6, 2026, 17:20 IST

Proposed Overhaul of H-1B Visa Program

Washington: A Republican lawmaker has put forth a proposal in the US Congress aimed at significantly reforming the H-1B visa program, which includes eliminating its function as a route to permanent residency in the country.

Congressman Chip Roy unveiled the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act on Thursday. This proposed legislation also aims to abolish the optional practical training (OPT) program, which permits international students to work in the US for a limited time post-graduation.

Roy stated, "For nearly four decades, the H-1B visa has been misused, allowing employers to consistently overlook American STEM professionals in favor of less expensive foreign labor, while disguising layoffs and wage suppression as 'shortages.'"

"It’s time to terminate this lottery-based system and replace it with one that emphasizes merit, enforces genuine wage standards, and prioritizes American white-collar workers," added Roy, who represents Texas's 21st district.

The bill has garnered support from groups such as US Tech Workers, the Immigration Accountability Project, and the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

This legislative move comes in the wake of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten legal migration programs, including stricter regulations, prioritizing higher wages for H-1B applicants, and imposing a $100,000 fee on new applications.

In addition to eliminating the pathway to permanent residency, the bill proposes extensive changes to the H-1B visa program's operations.

The legislation would mandate that H-1B applicants prove they maintain a residence abroad and do not plan to abandon it, reversing the long-standing 'dual intent' policy that allowed visa holders to seek permanent residency while working in the US.

It would also revoke provisions that currently enable H-1B holders to extend their status while waiting for green card processing.

Furthermore, the bill would reduce the maximum duration of an H-1B visa from six years to two years, prioritizing applications that offer higher salaries instead of using the existing lottery system.

"This bill will effectively tackle many of the problematic aspects of the H-1B visa program that have not only encouraged but allowed corporations, universities, and NGOs to replace our most productive workers with cheaper and more compliant foreign labor," stated Kevin Lynn, President of US Tech Workers.

Arizona Republican Congressman Eli Crane, a co-sponsor of the bill, remarked that it "provides significant reforms that safeguard future generations rather than benefiting corporate profits at their expense."

"Congress should prioritize our citizens instead of facilitating their displacement," Crane emphasized.

Roy, who is retiring from Congress, previously ran for the position of Texas attorney general but lost the primaries to fellow Republican Mayes Middleton.