US Senate Bill Proposes 3-Year H-1B Visa Pause and $100K Fee

The H-1B Abuse Prevention Act of 2026, introduced by Senator Tim Sheehy, would suspend approval of new H-1B petitions for three years, affecting employers seeking to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. The bill also seeks to make permanent a $100,000 fee for each H-1B petition, a measure that has drawn sharp criticism from business groups and immigration advocates.

Under the proposed legislation, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services would be barred from processing new H-1B applications during the freeze period, though renewals and extensions for current visa holders would be exempt. The bill would also require the Department of Labor to conduct a study on the impact of the H-1B program on American workers before the freeze could be lifted.

Senator Sheehy, who has been a vocal critic of the H-1B program, said in a statement that the bill aims to 'put American workers first' and address alleged abuses in the visa system. The proposed $100,000 fee, which would be paid by employers, is intended to offset the costs of enforcement and reduce reliance on foreign labor.

The bill faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where similar proposals have stalled in the past. Industry groups, including the Information Technology Industry Council, have argued that such a freeze would harm U.S. competitiveness and innovation. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.