New WISA bill in US may ease restrictions for Indian H-1B visa holders

A new legislative proposal in the United States could bring relief to thousands of skilled foreign professionals, including Indian workers, employed under the H-1B visa programme. The proposal, known as the Welcoming International Success Act (WISA), has been introduced in the US House of Representatives by Democratic lawmaker Bonnie Watson Coleman.

The bill seeks to reverse strict measures imposed on the H-1B visa programme by the administration of US President Donald Trump, which critics say made it significantly harder for companies to hire foreign professionals.

Under the changes introduced in 2025, employers sponsoring H-1B workers were required to pay a $100,000 fee per visa application, in addition to existing charges. The policy also prioritised higher-paid applicants and tightened wage requirements, making it difficult for entry-level professionals to qualify.

The proposed WISA legislation aims to roll back these restrictions and restore earlier rules governing the H-1B visa programme. Supporters of the bill argue that the existing policies have disrupted the US technology sector and limited the ability of companies to recruit global talent.

The H-1B visa programme allows US companies to hire foreign professionals in specialised fields such as information technology, engineering, healthcare and finance. Indian professionals form one of the largest groups of H-1B visa holders and play a major role in the US technology workforce.

However, the bill must pass both chambers of the US Congress before becoming law.

If approved, the measure could ease hiring restrictions for American companies and improve opportunities for highly skilled professionals from countries such as India seeking to work in the United States.