The PROTECT Act of 2026 amends the H-1B visa program to prioritize higher wages and exempt health care workers from certain fees.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 amends the H-1B visa program by prioritizing petitions offering higher wages and exempting health care workers from fees. It mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security prioritize H-1B petitions based on compensation levels. It also exempts health care workers from fees and requires employers to offer wages at least equal to the higher of the actual wage paid to U.S. workers in similar roles or $100,000 adjusted for inflation. The act further limits H-1B visas to one year if work is performed at a third-party site and requires recruitment efforts for U.S.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 amends the H-1B visa program to prioritize higher wages and exempt health care workers from certain fees.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 amends the H-1B visa program by prioritizing petitions offering higher wages and exempting health care workers from fees. It mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security prioritize H-1B petitions based on compensation levels. It also exempts health care workers from fees and requires employers to offer wages at least equal to the higher of the actual wage paid to U.S. workers in similar roles or $100,000 adjusted for inflation. The act further limits H-1B visas to one year if work is performed at a third-party site and requires recruitment efforts for U.S.