The PROTECT Act of 2026 reforms the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. The bill significantly raises wage requirements for H-1B workers, setting a minimum annual salary of $100,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) or the wage paid to U.S. citizens or permanent residents performing the same job, whichever is greater. It also restricts H-1B workers assigned to third-party worksites by limiting visa validity to one year and requiring clear, long-term work assignments, and it prioritizes petitions offering higher compensation over those offering lower pay. The legislation creates an exemption for health care workers—including physicians, nurses, therapists, and other direct patient care professionals—from certain visa fees, provided employers can demonstrate they made good-faith efforts to recruit qualified U.S. workers first. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to all H-1B petitions filed after that date.
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