Sudden Update Is Blocked H-1B Quotas Slashed by Half and Potential Suspension Ahead

Local Time: April 22, 2026 — U.S. House Republican Representative Eli Crane of Arizona, along with several fellow lawmakers, introduced a bill to suspend H-1B visa issuance for three years.

The core logic behind this proposal is straightforward: "Americans First." If the bill is ultimately enacted, the classic path for international students—"study → work → lottery → green card"—may become history.

Source: https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2026/04/22/exclusive-house-republican-bill-would-pause-h-1b-visas-make-dramatic-changes-to-the-program/

Core Reforms of the New Proposal: Shorter H-1B Validity and Reduced Quotas

A "Winter Period" for Global Talent: H-1B Validity Reduced to Just 3 Years

Currently, H-1B status is granted for an initial 3-year term, renewable for another 3 years, for a total of 6 years. The new bill proposes cutting that period in half, allowing only a single 3-year term. It also calls for an immediate three-year halt on issuing new H-1B visas after the bill's passage. During this suspension period, current H-1B holders would face an orderly departure from the U.S.

Regular H-1B Quota Cut to 25,000

The current H-1B quota includes 65,000 regular visas and an additional 20,000 for applicants holding a master’s or higher degree from U.S. institutions, with certain exemptions for positions at universities and nonprofit organizations. The new bill seeks to reduce the regular quota to just 25,000 and eliminate all exemptions. This drastic reduction would make an already difficult lottery system even more competitive.

$200,000 Salary Threshold Would Effectively Block Small and Midsize Employers

This is arguably the most devastating change for international students. The bill would require employers to pay H-1B workers a minimum annual salary of $200,000. By comparison, the typical starting salary for computer science graduates in the U.S. is around $100,000–$120,000. A $200,000 threshold means that—aside from top-tier tech firms hiring highly experienced talent—the vast majority of new graduates would be priced out of H-1B eligibility.

Ban on Accompanying Family Members

Holders of H-1B (specialty occupation), H-2A (agricultural), and H-2B (seasonal non-agricultural) visas would be prohibited from bringing their dependents to the United States.

Additional Restrictions

Under the proposed bill, H-1B holders would not be permitted to hold secondary employment, change their status while in the U.S. (such as returning to graduate school), and would be required to prove they maintain a foreign residence abroad. Upon expiration of the three-year H-1B term, they must leave the U.S.

What’s Next?

Although the bill is still in the House proposal stage, requiring votes in both chambers and presidential signature, and despite expected fierce lobbying from U.S. business interests (especially tech giants), the underlying signal is clear: U.S. tolerance for low-cost foreign labor is plummeting. Several senators, including a lawmaker from Utah, have already expressed support for an H-1B pause.

For international students and their families caught in the eye of this storm, a "Plan B" is no longer a nice-to-have contingency—it is an urgent necessity.

Securing Status First: Seizing the Last "Lifeboat" – EB-5 Concurrent Filing

The volatility of H-1B policy is driving more and more families to pursue a more stable path: obtaining a green card. Among current U.S. green card options, the most effective way to address the immediate concerns of families in the U.S. is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program's "concurrent filing" provision under the new Reform and Integrity Act.

Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, applicants already lawfully present in the U.S. (e.g., on an F-1 student visa) can file Form I-526E (immigrant petition) and Form I-485 (adjustment of status) simultaneously. This allows them to also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole travel document. Within months, they can receive a "Combo Card" that grants work and travel freedom while their green card application is pending—effectively securing green-card-like benefits without worrying about the H-1B lottery, salary thresholds, or a potential H-1B suspension.

Plan Ahead to Weather Policy Shifts

Policy changes often move beyond individual control. Betting one’s future on uncertain visa policies carries immense risk. Only a strong competitive edge—coupled with stable immigration status—can reliably weather these fluctuations.

The EB-5 concurrent filing option is not permanent and may also change. Under Section 102 of the RIA, investors who submit their petitions before September 30, 2026, are protected by a grandfathering clause: even if future policy changes occur, USCIS will adjudicate their cases under the rules in effect at the time of filing.

With the September 30 window approaching, the EB-5new RIA program is entering its final countdown. Families hoping to use concurrent filing to secure rapid legal status in the U.S. should assess their eligibility and act promptly.

Globvisa has been deeply engaged in the EB-5 field for over 15 years, with more than 50 integrated offices across six continents. We have helped over 5,000 families apply for U.S. green cards. Since the launch of the new EB-5 rules in 2022, we have successfully facilitated fundraising for more than 20 EB-5 projects, achieved a record of more than 30 group approvals in a single month, and filed applications in as few as 21 days. Globe Visa is a proud member of IIUSA (Invest in the USA), ranked among the Top 25 EB-5 migration agencies globally, and has received the "2024 I-829 Approval Contribution Award" and "2024 I-526 Approval Contribution Award."