H-1B Visa System May See Major Changes Within a Year

The US H-1B visa system could undergo significant changes over the next year, according to Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito. His comments come amid an intensified federal crackdown on alleged fraud and abuse in foreign-labor visa programmes. The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General has been conducting nationwide investigations into suspected H-1B fraud, while officials have indicated that cases involving potential criminal conduct could be referred for prosecution.

The administration has also introduced measures to increase scrutiny of H-1B applications. In September 2025, the Department of Labor launched Project Firewall, an enforcement initiative targeting potential displacement of US workers, inadequate recruitment practices and other H-1B violations. Department of Labor In September 2026, a new executive order directed federal agencies to pay closer attention to H-1B petitions involving employers that have recently laid off, or plan to lay off, similarly situated US workers. Separately, restrictions on the entry of certain H-1B workers were extended until September 21, 2027, with specified conditions and exceptions.