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Proposed H-1B Visa Reforms Could Extend Green Card Wait Times for Indian Nationals
Green Card alert: New H-1B visa proposal to overhaul visas for skilled workers, here's how Indians will be affected
Image: Hindustan Times
Texas Congressman Chip Roy has introduced a bill to reform the H-1B visa system, impacting many Indian nationals who make up 70% of H-1B holders. The proposal replaces the lottery system with a wage-based selection, limits visa duration, and abolishes the Optional Practical Training program, potentially extending Green Card wait times significantly.
- 01The proposed American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act of 2026 aims to replace the H-1B lottery system with a merit-and-wage-based selection process.
- 02The bill seeks to shorten the H-1B visa duration from six years to two years, requiring applicants to show intent to return to their home country.
- 03Approximately 70% of H-1B visa holders in the US are Indian nationals, who could face Green Card wait times extending to 10-20 years under the new proposal.
- 04The legislation would eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows international students to gain work experience in the US after graduation.
- 05The bill needs majority support in Congress to advance, amid ongoing debates about the H-1B visa program.
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Texas Republican Congressman Chip Roy has proposed the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act of 2026, aimed at overhauling the H-1B visa system, which is crucial for skilled foreign workers, particularly from India. Currently, about 70% of H-1B visa holders are of Indian origin. The proposed legislation seeks to eliminate the existing lottery system in favor of a wage-based selection process and to shorten the maximum duration of H-1B visas from six years to two years. This change would require applicants to demonstrate a commitment to returning to their home country. Additionally, the bill aims to abolish the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the US post-graduation. If enacted, the reforms could lead to extended Green Card waiting periods for Indian nationals, potentially stretching to 10-20 years due to country-specific limitations. The bill requires majority support in Congress to become law, amidst ongoing discussions about the future of the H-1B visa program.
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The proposed reforms could significantly affect Indian nationals seeking to work and live in the US, increasing their waiting time for Green Cards and limiting job opportunities.
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