Big Relief For H-1B Visa Holders? New US Immigration Bill Could Fast-Track Green Cards For Indians

Published 29 July 2026 · india

Big Relief For H-1B Visa Holders? New US Immigration Bill Could Fast-Track Green Cards For Indians Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 06:46 IST

Big Relief For H-1B Visa Holders? New US Immigration Bill Could Fast-Track Green Cards For Indians Published By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 06:46 IST A US senator has revived an immigration reform bill that could provide a pathway to green cards for millions, including Indian H-1B visa holders stuck in decades-long backlogs. US Senator Alex Padilla has reintroduced an immigration bill that could create a pathway to green cards for millions of long-term residents, including Indian H-1B visa holders. (AI-generated image/News18) A fresh immigration reform proposal in the United States has raised hopes for thousands of Indian professionals waiting for permanent residency. California Senator Alex Padilla has reintroduced a bill that, if passed by Congress, could create a pathway to lawful permanent residency (green cards) for more than eight million long-term US residents, including H-1B visa holders, children of visa holders and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries. While the proposal is still only a bill and has not become law, it is significant because it seeks to address one of the biggest problems affecting foreign professionals in the US, the decades-long wait for employment-based green cards. PUSH FOR GREEN CARD BILL: WHY THIS MATTERS TO INDIANS Every year, tens of thousands of Indian engineers, IT professionals, doctors, researchers and scientists move to the United States on H-1B work visas. Many of them eventually apply for permanent residency (green cards). However, because of existing US immigration rules, most Indians spend years, sometimes decades, waiting for their applications to be processed. According to available estimates, Indians account for nearly 80 per cent of the pending employment-based green card backlog, making them the worst-affected nationality under the current system.

WHAT THE GREEN CARD BILL PROPOSES Padilla’s legislation, the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, would amend Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the Registry provision. Currently, the law allows certain immigrants to apply for permanent residency only if they entered the United States before January 1, 1972. That cutoff has remained unchanged for over five decades, making the provision virtually unusable today. The new proposal would replace the fixed date with a rolling eligibility date, allowing long-term residents who have continuously lived in the US for at least seven years before filing an application to become eligible for lawful permanent residency, provided they meet other legal requirements. According to Senator Padilla’s office, only 305 people adjusted their immigration status through the existing Registry provision between 2015 and 2019 because of the outdated cutoff. HOW COULD THIS HELP H-1B VISA HOLDERS? If enacted, the legislation could provide a new pathway to green cards for many H-1B visa holders who have spent years waiting under the employment-based immigration system. Potential benefits include A possible alternative route to permanent residency for eligible long-term residents. Greater certainty for professionals who have spent years renewing temporary work visas. Reduced dependence on employer- visa extensions. Greater job flexibility after obtaining permanent resident status. Relief for families who have remained in immigration limbo for years. However, immigration experts note that the bill does not automatically grant green cards to all H-1B holders. Applicants would still need to satisfy the eligibility conditions under the amended Registry provision if the legislation is enacted.