India Monitors U.S. Senate H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Bill

The Government of India is monitoring the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2025 (S. 2928), which was introduced in the U.S. Senate on September 29, 2025. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha in a written response that the bill remains at the introduced stage as of March 21, 2026.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reduce fraud and prevent the displacement of American workers. Key provisions include the implementation of higher wage thresholds, a 50% cap on H-1B and L-1 workers for companies with more than 50 employees, and a reduction in maximum stay periods.

Indian officials warned that these measures may increase hiring costs for employers in the United States and create obstacles for Indian tech professionals seeking permanent residency. Parallel to the legislative effort, the Indian government noted the activity of Project Firewall, a U.S. Department of Labor enforcement initiative launched in September 2025 to investigate wage violations and the displacement of U.S. workers.