Washington: The United States has taken a key step toward tightening wage norms for foreign workers, as a proposed regulation impacting the H-1B visa program and employment-based green cards cleared review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), according to a report by The Times of India.
Prevailing wage rules -- used to determine the minimum salary employers must offer foreign hires depending on job role and location -- are central to the proposal. Any revision to this system could influence hiring decisions, sponsorship eligibility, and overall employment costs for companies.
Although the full regulatory details are yet to be made public, immigration specialists anticipate adjustments in wage calculation methods that may raise salary thresholds across various sectors. This could significantly affect industries reliant on skilled foreign workers, especially technology and healthcare.
The development is particularly important for Indian professionals. As per USCIS data, Indians accounted for 71% of all approved H-1B applications in fiscal 2024 -- around 2.8 lakh approvals, including extensions.
If finalized on schedule, the updated wage framework could come into effect for H-1B applicants selected in the 2027 cycle. Meanwhile, registration for the upcoming H-1B cap season is set to begin next month.
