Archive · 1 Dec 2025
HIRE Act Aims to Double H-1B Visas
The HIRE Act is a proposal to increase the number of H-1B visas available each year from 65,000 to 130,000.
It also aims to remove the cap on additional H-1B visas for those with advanced US degrees.
The Act also proposes to direct new funding to promote STEM education in elementary and secondary schools.
This could help more Indian workers get jobs in the US, as they are the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program.
However, it's not yet clear if the Act will be passed by the US Congress.
The HIRE Act proposes to double the number of H-1B visas available each year from 65,000 to 130,000.
It also aims to remove the current cap of 20,000 on additional H-1B visas for those with advanced US degrees.
The Act proposes to direct new funding to promote STEM education in elementary and secondary schools.
Indians are the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B program, accounting for more than 70% of all H-1B petitions approved each year since 2015.
The HIRE Act is supported by the ITServe Alliance and Raja Krishnamoorthi, but it remains to be seen if it will be passed by the US Congress.
- Who
- Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democratic Representative from Illinois
- What
- Reintroduction of the HIRE Act to double H-1B visas and promote STEM education
- When
- November 26, 2023
- Where
- United States Congress
- Why
- To strengthen America's economic and technological competitiveness and attract top talent
- Current H-1B Visa Cap
- 65,000 per year
- Proposed H-1B Visa Cap
- 130,000 per year
- Current Advanced Degree Cap
- 20,000 per year
- Proposed Advanced Degree Cap
- No cap
- Primary Beneficiaries of H-1B
- Indian nationals (72% of visas in 2022-2023)
- Secondary Beneficiaries of H-1B
- Chinese nationals (12-13%)
- Proposed STEM Funding
- Elementary and secondary school programs
- Supporters of HIRE Act
- ITServe Alliance, Raja Krishnamoorthi