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End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 Introduced to Pause H-1B Visas for Three Years
A group of Republican lawmakers introduced the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, proposing a three-year pause on H-1B visa issuances and a comprehensive overhaul of the program. The bill would cut the cap, replace the lottery with a wage-based system, raise the minimum salary, and impose several employer and visa-holder restrictions, with support from several GOP lawmakers.
Why It Matters
If enacted, the bill would significantly reshape high-skilled immigration policy in the United States, potentially impacting technology sectors, domestic labor dynamics, and the flow of skilled foreign workers.
Timeline
1 Event
End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 introduced to pause H-1B visas for three years
April 25, 2026
A group of Republican lawmakers led by Rep. Eli Crane introduced the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, proposing a three-year pause on H-1B visa issuances and a sweeping overhaul of the program. The bill would cut the annual H-1B cap from 65,000 to 25,000 with no exemptions, replace the lottery with a wage-based selection, and set a minimum salary of $200,000. Employers would need to certify no qualified American workers are available and that they have not conducted layoffs. The bill would bar H-1B workers from holding multiple jobs, prohibit third-party staffing, ban dependents, end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, and prevent visa holders from transitioning to permanent residency. Supporters include Rep. Brandon Gill, Rep. Paul Gosar, and Rep. Andy Ogles, who framed the measure as prioritizing American workers. Rosemary Jenks of the Immigration Accountability Project described it as the strongest H-1B bill introduced in Congress.