US Plans Major H-1B Visa Wage Hike to Boost Local Employment!

In a significant move to prioritize employment opportunities for Americans, the United States is preparing new measures targeting foreign workers in the tech industry. As part of this effort, the US Department of Labor has proposed increasing wages for H-1B visa holders. If implemented, the annual salaries of foreign employees could rise by approximately $14,000. Authorities noted that wage disparities between local and foreign workers have long raised concerns, with companies often preferring lower-cost overseas talent.

Currently, H-1B visa holders earn an average of $10,191 less annually than their American counterparts, with the gap even wider in computer-related professions. Data from the Labor Department shows that 63% of H-1B visas issued in the 2024 fiscal year were for entry-level roles, raising concerns about misuse of the program. The proposed changes include revising the four-tier wage structure, with increases ranging from 34% for entry-level jobs to 88% for top-tier roles. Once approved and signed by the President, companies hiring foreign workers may collectively face an additional wage burden of $6.56 billion annually.