Green Card Alert: New H-1B visa proposal to overhaul visas for skilled workers, How Indians will be affected?

New Delhi: A new immigration reform proposal introduced in the United States Congress could dramatically reshape the future of H-1B visas and Green Card pathways, especially for Indian professionals and students who make up the majority of H-1B holders in America.

Texas Republican Congressman Chip Roy has proposed the “American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act of 2026,” a bill aimed at tightening rules around skilled foreign worker visas and prioritizing American employees in STEM sectors.

15 Indians Deported from Australia Over Crime and Visa Violations

What Does the Proposed Bill Aim to Change?

The proposed legislation seeks to overhaul the existing H-1B visa system by replacing the current lottery-based selection process with a merit-and-wage-based model.

Under the proposal, companies would also be required to prove they made genuine efforts to hire American workers before employing foreign professionals. Firms that recently carried out layoffs could face restrictions on hiring H-1B workers.

Another major change proposed in the bill is reducing the maximum H-1B visa duration from six years to two years.

OPT Program Could Be Eliminated

The bill also proposes ending the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows international students to work in the United States after graduation.

For Indian students pursuing STEM degrees, OPT often serves as a crucial bridge between university education and securing H-1B sponsorship. The proposed removal of the program has raised concerns among international student communities.

Green Card Pathway May Become More Difficult

One of the biggest concerns for Indian professionals is the proposed restriction on using H-1B visas as a pathway to permanent residency.

Currently, H-1B holders benefit from the “dual intent” provision, which allows them to work in the US while simultaneously applying for a Green Card.

If the proposed changes are implemented, Indian applicants facing long Green Card backlogs could be severely affected. Experts warn that waiting periods may stretch even longer, potentially reaching 10 to 20 years or more because of country-specific caps.

Why Indians Could Be Most Affected

Indian nationals account for nearly 70% of H-1B visa holders in the United States. Due to massive demand and annual country limits on employment-based Green Cards, Indian professionals already face some of the longest waiting periods in the immigration system.

Pakistan issues over 2,800 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for Baisakhi celebrations

Critics fear that shortening visa validity and removing extension provisions could force many skilled workers to leave the US before their Green Card applications are approved.

Will the Bill Become Law?

The legislation will still need majority support in Congress and the approval of the US President before becoming law.

While the bill’s future remains uncertain, the debate around H-1B visas, foreign workers and American job protection is expected to remain a major political issue in the United States.