{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-article-js","path":"/us-bill-seeks-to-replace-h-1b-visa-system","result":{"data":{"prismicArticle":{"uid":"us-bill-seeks-to-replace-h-1b-visa-system","tags":["politics"],"first_publication_date":"2026-10-20T10:32:17+0000","last_publication_date":"2026-10-20T10:32:17+0000","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"US bill seeks to replace H-1B visa system"},"rating":null,"datetime":"2026-10-20T03:20:00+0000","img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/aU5WZXNYClf9opPw_H1B.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C60%2C449%2C221&w=2028&h=1000"},"embed":{"embed_url":null,"thumbnail_url":null,"author_url":null,"title":null},"content":{"raw":[{"text":"A Republican lawmaker has proposed replacing America's H-1B visa selection system with a merit-based framework that would prioritise highly skilled, better-paid foreign workers, while sharply restricting family-sponsored immigration and eliminating the Diversity Visa lottery. "},{"text":"Congressman David Schweikert of Arizona, chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, outlined the Securing Migration, Addressing Reform, and Talent Enhancement and Retention (SMARTER) Act in an October 19 announcement."},{"text":"The legislation, H.R. 10460, was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 16 and referred to the Judiciary Committee."},{"text":"It has not become law."},{"text":"Under the proposal, the existing H-1B selection framework would be replaced by a system designed to give preference to applicants based on their economic contribution, qualifications and labour-market demand."},{"text":"The legislation proposes to establish a five-member Skilled Migration and Recruitment of Talent Board. It would determine annual immigration limits and allocate employment visas among industries."},{"text":"The board would consider labour shortages, unemployment, wages, productivity and economic growth when determining how many foreign workers should be admitted."},{"text":"The initial numerical limit for the proposed H-1B replacement system would be 85,000, with subsequent adjustments based on economic conditions."},{"text":"The bill would also introduce a points-based system for employment-based permanent immigration, assessing applicants on age, education, English proficiency, salary and exceptional achievements."},{"text":"Applicants aged 26 to 30 would receive the highest age-related points, while higher qualifications, particularly would improve their scores."},{"text":"Salary would carry substantial weight, with applicants offered compensation significantly above the median household income in their state receiving additional points."},{"text":"The proposal would also remove existing country-specific numerical limits on employment-based immigration, a provision potentially relevant to Indian nationals facing lengthy green-card backlogs."},{"text":"However, the impact on waiting times would depend on the overall visa limits and the operation of the proposed selection system."},{"text":"Schweikert argued that immigration policy should address America's ageing population and growing demand for skilled workers while protecting domestic employment."},{"text":"\"If we are serious about tackling our debt, growing our economy, and safeguarding our earned federal benefits, we must cultivate a workforce that continues to compete globally at the highest level,\" he said."},{"text":"He called for prioritising selective, highly skilled employment-based immigration over family-sponsored and diversity-based migration."},{"text":"The Joint Economic Committee's Republican staff estimated that the proposal could reduce federal expenditure by approximately $335 billion and increase US gross domestic product by at least $549 billion over 10 years."},{"text":"Those figures are projections advanced by the bill's proponents, not independently established economic outcomes."},{"text":"Beyond employment visas, the legislation proposes restricting family-sponsored immigration primarily to spouses and minor children."},{"text":"It would remove several existing family-preference categories and end the Diversity Visa Programme."},{"text":"The bill also includes a proposed gold-card immigration programme under which qualifying applicants could obtain immigrant visas through substantial financial payments."},{"text":"Another provision would direct the Department of Homeland Security to use artificial intelligence to identify people who remain in the United States after their authorised visa stays expire."},{"text":"The legislation contains transitional provisions for certain existing immigration applications and would allow some long-delayed employment-based applicants greater flexibility to change jobs."},{"text":"The H-1B programme has long been an important pathway for Indian technology professionals working in the United States. Employment-based green-card backlogs have also been a longstanding concern for Indian applicants because of numerical limits and high demand."}]}}},"relatedArticles":{"edges":[{"node":{"uid":"63-us-lawmakers-seek-faster-green-cards","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"63 US lawmakers seek faster green cards"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/b7gkON1MmQl4BFck_lawmakersUS.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C450%2C222&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-10-20T02:03:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"rhodes-im-half-indian-half-south-african","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"Rhodes: 'I'm half Indian, half South African'"},"img":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/prad/r49JR7IjhKd53H_b_rhodes.JPG?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C7%2C299%2C147&w=2028&h=1000"},"datetime":"2026-10-20T10:28:00+0000"}}},{"node":{"uid":"14-year-land-row-relief-for-pathan","data":{"third_party_url":null,"title":{"text":"14-Year Land Row: Relief for 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