This legislation aims to reform the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program and explicitly terminates the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program . The OPT program, which previously allowed F-1 student visa holders to work in the United States after completing their studies, will no longer provide employment authorization. Consequently, any employment authorization for F-1 nonimmigrants will cease immediately upon the completion of their course of studies, and all pending OPT applications will be denied and refunded. The bill significantly amends H-1B nonimmigrant visa requirements by establishing a new, higher minimum wage. Employers must offer H-1B nonimmigrants an annual wage that is the greater of $150,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) or the wage paid to a comparable U.S. worker. Additionally, it imposes new restrictions on H-1B visas for work performed at third-party worksites , limiting such visas to a one-year validity and requiring specific, non-speculative assignments. To further reform the H-1B program, the bill mandates that petitions from employers be approved by prioritizing those offering higher compensation rates , irrespective of their filing order.
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Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Immigration
American Tech Workforce Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-2821| Senate
| Updated: 9/16/2025
This legislation aims to reform the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program and explicitly terminates the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program . The OPT program, which previously allowed F-1 student visa holders to work in the United States after completing their studies, will no longer provide employment authorization. Consequently, any employment authorization for F-1 nonimmigrants will cease immediately upon the completion of their course of studies, and all pending OPT applications will be denied and refunded. The bill significantly amends H-1B nonimmigrant visa requirements by establishing a new, higher minimum wage. Employers must offer H-1B nonimmigrants an annual wage that is the greater of $150,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) or the wage paid to a comparable U.S. worker. Additionally, it imposes new restrictions on H-1B visas for work performed at third-party worksites , limiting such visas to a one-year validity and requiring specific, non-speculative assignments. To further reform the H-1B program, the bill mandates that petitions from employers be approved by prioritizing those offering higher compensation rates , irrespective of their filing order.