Debate around the H-1B visa programme has intensified following a new immigration Bill tabled on Wednesday by Congressman Eli Crane.
Supported by a group of House Republicans, the proposal calls for a three-year halt to fresh visa issuances. While some think it would create space for a comprehensive reset, opponents caution that it may disrupt companies and individuals reliant on skilled foreign professionals.
The bill is named the End H‑1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026. At this stage, the proposal has yet to progress beyond introduction and will need to navigate a complex process before becoming law.
Today, I introduced the End H‑1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026.
— Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) April 22, 2026
This bill pauses the program for three years and implements significant reforms once it resumes.
The federal government should work for hardworking citizens, not the profit margins of massive corporations. pic.twitter.com/Q9vFWVOCl4
“This bill pauses the program for three years and implements significant reforms once it resumes. The federal government should work for hardworking citizens, not the profit margins of massive corporations,” Crane posted on X.
Here are some of the key changes it proposes:
Three-Year Pause On H-1B Visas
Under the proposal, changes would be made to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, including a three-year halt on fresh H-1B visas. During this period, current visa holders would gradually depart the US. The scheme would later be reinstated in a more limited form, with stricter rules in place.
The existing annual allocation of 65,000 H-1B visas would be sharply reduced to 25,000 under the proposal, which also calls for the removal of current cap exemptions.
ALSO READ: US Visa Bulletin May 2026 Flags Increasing Demand For EB-5 From India — Says 'Monitoring Situation'
Ending The Lottery System
The legislation wants to replace the H-1B lottery system with a wage-driven model. Under this approach, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would favour applications linked to higher salaries.
Lowering Of Visa Duration
The present system allows H-1B workers to stay on for multiple three-year terms. The proposed changes would cut this back to one fixed three-year period. In addition, applicants would need to show they have a home abroad and intend to depart the US once their visa lapses
Employers Must Confirm They Couldn't Find Suitable US Employee
The proposal places strict obligations on employers, who must prove an absence of qualified American candidates and assert that recruiting a foreign national would not adversely affect local workers.
They must also confirm that no layoffs occurred in the preceding year, nor are expected in the coming year. The Bill additionally introduces a minimum salary requirement of $200,000 for H-1B visa holders.
Cap On Multiple Jobs
The measure would limit H-1B visa holders to a single employer, effectively ending the practice of working for multiple firms. It also proposes to bar third-party employers, including recruitment agencies, from engaging such workers.
Costly H-1B Hiring Rule Could Become Permanent
The proposal includes a provision to formalise a September 2025 proclamation issued by Donald Trump that set a $100,000 fee for hiring H-1B workers. Should the Bill be approved, the levy would be incorporated into law.
Restrictions Proposed On Family Entry
A key provision in the Bill would prevent many temporary visa holders from bringing relatives to the United States. The measure would apply not only to H-1B professionals, but also to H-2A agricultural labourers and H-2B seasonal workers.
ALSO READ: Telugu Duo Pleads Guilty To H-1B Visa Fraud, Faces Up To Five Years In Prison
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