# H-1B Visa Salary Threshold Could Hit $140,000

> New bill raises H-1B visa salary exemption to $140,000 to protect American workers.
- Title: H-1B Visa Salary Threshold Could Hit $140,000 · Newsweek
- Summary: New bill raises H-1B visa salary exemption to $140,000 to protect American workers. A Republican bill would increase the H-1B visa salary threshold from…
- Keywords: h-1b visa, social security administration, wage index, republican bill, american workers, visa exemption, salary threshold, H-1B, Visa, Salary, Threshold, Hit
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/h1b-visa-salary-threshold-could-hit-140000-under-new-bill-12577320
- Published: 2026-10-16T09:58:57+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: h-1b visa, social security administration, wage index, republican bill, american workers, visa exemption, salary threshold
## New Republican Bill Targets H-1B Visa Rules
Republican Representative Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin introduced legislation to raise the H-1B visa salary threshold from $60,000 to nearly $140,000.
## Bill Uses Wage Index for Salary Threshold
The bill would set the threshold at twice the Social Security Administration's National Average Wage Index, which could reach nearly $140,000.
## Grothman's Rationale for Change
Grothman argued the existing threshold had not kept pace with wages and that employers should not use outdated rules to bypass protections for American workers.
## Senate Companion Bill Introduced
Republican Senator Jon Husted of Ohio also introduced a companion bill in the Senate to update the H-1B visa program rules.
## H-1B Program Divides Trump Coalition
The H-1B program has split Trump's political coalition, with hard-liners pushing for tighter restrictions and tech supporters advocating for skilled worker recruitment.
## Other Republican Proposals
Other Republicans proposed measures including pausing new visas, increasing penalties for violations, and ending the H-1B pathway to permanent residency.
## Bill Needs Further Approval
The House bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee and would still need to pass both chambers and be signed into law before taking effect.
## Key takeaway

A Republican bill would increase the H-1B visa salary threshold from $60,000 to nearly $140,000 to ensure American workers compete for jobs.