The United States is edging nearer to introducing stricter wage requirements for foreign workers on H-1B visas and those applying for employment-based green cards after a new regulatory proposal cleared an important federal review stage.
The proposal, submitted by the US Department of Labor to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is expected to be published soon for public comment before it moves toward finalisation.
Once released, it could lead to higher minimum wage benchmarks that employers must pay to H-1B visa holders and workers in the PERM labour certification process.
Prevailing wage rates currently set the minimum salary for sponsored foreign employees based on job occupation and geographic location.
The planned changes may alter how these wage levels are calculated and raise the salary floors across many occupations, which could increase hiring costs for companies that depend heavily on H-1B and green card sponsorships.
For Indian professionals; who make up the majority of H-1B visa holders and employment-based green card applicants in the US; the revised wage framework could significantly impact future employment and sponsorship decisions.
The public comment period, typically open for 30–60 days, is expected to be shorter, possibly just 30 days, as regulators move to finalise the rule. If implemented, the changes could apply to petitions selected in the 2027 H-1B cap season.
Industry watchers say the outcome may reshape how US employers recruit foreign workers; especially in sectors such as technology and healthcare, where H-1B talent is integral and could influence broader immigration policy debates in the coming year.