Skip to content
Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

House Bill Would Double H-1B Visa Cap to 130,000 and Fund $25M in STEM Grants

Also known as: High-skilled Immigration Reform for Employment Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(1)
Student
Helps

Key Points

  • Raises the annual cap on certain high-skilled work visas from 65,000 to 130,000, which could let more foreign professionals work for U.S. employers.
  • Changes the rules for when a company counts as “H-1B-dependent,” meaning more employers would fall under extra worker-protection requirements tied to heavy use of these visas.
  • Creates a new Education Department grant program to boost science, math, engineering, and technology learning in K–12 schools, help keep teachers in those subjects, and support college STEM programs.
  • Authorizes $25 million per year from 2026 through 2030 for the STEM education grants, if Congress later funds it through the budget process.
ImmigrationEducationLabor Employment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Nov 25, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Nov 25, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill is enacted; likely felt starting with the next H-1B filing cycle

H-1B yearly cap increases to 130,000 if the bill becomes law

More high-skilled workers could be hired through the H-1B process, and employers may have fewer positions left unfilled due to the cap

After enactment, as employers file new or updated H-1B paperwork

New “H-1B-dependent employer” thresholds take effect

More employers may have to follow extra worker-protection and reporting steps, which can change how quickly companies hire H-1B workers

Related News

3 articles
Staffing Industry Analysts·3 months ago

House member seeks more H-1B visas

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi reintroduced the HIRE Act (HR 6305) to increase the H-1B visa cap from 65,000 to 130,000. The bill also directs funding to bolster STEM programs in elementary and secondary schools, aiming to fill specialized talent gaps in tech and research sectors.

C=
IndiaWest News·over 2 years ago

180 Congressional Reps Participate In ITServe's Capitol Hill Day

Lawmakers and industry leaders gathered to support H.R. 4647, the High-Skilled Immigration Reform for Employment Act. The legislation aims to bridge the skills gap by doubling the H-1B cap and establishing a STEM grant program to maintain U.S. leadership in technology and innovation.

C+
VisaHQ·3 months ago

HIRE Act Re-Introduced in US Congress, Seeks to Double H-1B Cap—Big Implications for Indian Talent

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi formally re-introduced the HIRE Act, proposing to raise the H-1B cap to 130,000. The bill includes mandatory E-Verify usage and a $1 billion earmark for STEM education in underserved districts to address concerns about domestic training incentives.

=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

High-skilled Immigration Reform for Employment Act

Bill NumberHR 6305
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 2

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.