,,ii  #aah? ,,congress  #b;d ,session   
,s4 #efdd  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,decemb] #bj           
7legislative day1 ,decemb] #af71        
#bjbd,mr4 ,"y 7= himself & ,mr4 ,man*97 
introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read     
twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on !     
,judici>y  ,a ,,bill  ,to e/abli% a new 
visa category = high-skill$ ali5s seek+ 
employm5t 9 sl[-gr[+ & %r9k+ c\nties 9 !
 ,unit$ ,/ates4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is   
,act may be cit$ z ! ,he>tl& ,visa ,act 
( #bjbd4  #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds !   
foll[+3 7#a7 ,high-skill$ immigrants are
 an invaluable s\rce ( innovation &     
entrepr5eur%ip = ! ,unit$ ,/ates        
economy4 ,s9ce #bjjj1 immigrants h      
acc\nt$ = #be p]c5t ( rec5t />tups1 #bc 
p]c5t ( ,unit$ ,/ates pat5ts1 & #ch     
p]c5t ( ,am]ican ,nobel prizes 9 m$ic9e1
 *emi/ry1 & physics4  7#b7 ,indu/ries t 
are critical to ! ,unit$ ,/ates economic
 & national security dep5d on !         
contributions ( =eign-born work]s4      
,n9ete5 p]c5t ( our ,nation's dome/ic   

def5se indu/rial base's work=ce is      
=eign-born1 includ+ #di p]c5t ( su*     
work]s ) a ma/]'s degree 9 sci5ce1      
te*nology1 eng9e]+1 or ma? 7,,/em7 & #ef
 p]c5t ( su* work]s ) a ,,/em ,ph,d4    
7#c7 ,l>ge portions ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates h 
n b5efitt$ f ?is =eign-born tal5t s9ce m
 ?an #b_/c ( all =eign-born ,unit$      
,/ates resid5ts ) a ba*elor's degree or 
high] reside 9 ! l>ge/ #ajj c\nties 9 ! 
,unit$ ,/ates4  7#d7 ,hundr$s ( c\nties 
across ! c\ntry are suff]+ f ! effects (
 population decl9e & %ortages (         
sci5tific & te*nical tal5t4  7#e7 ,local
 population decl9e erodes municipal tax 
bases1 saps communities ( res\rces =    
infra/ructure & education fund+1 &      
erodes economic dynamism & innovation4  
7#f7 ,a new place-bas$ ,he>tl& ,visa    
,program = skill$ tal5t w\ld-- 7,a7     
unlock exi/+ lat5t capacity = gr[?1     
innovation1 & entrepr5eur%ip t se$s new 
clu/]s ( opportunity 9 p>ticipat+       
c\nties2  7,b7 help to build m resili5t 
supply *a9s 9 /rategically important    

sectors2 &  7,c7 all[ ! ,unit$ ,/ates to
 leap ahead ( ,unit$ ,/ates competitors 
9 ! global race = te*nical tal5t4  #c4  
,he>tl& ,visa  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,*apt] ,i ( 
title ,,ii ( ! ,immigration &           
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaea et
 seq47 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !      
foll[+3  #baj;,a4 ,he>tl& ,visa ,program
  7a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7  
,applicant ,! t]m applicant means an    
ali5 seek+ a ,he>tl& ,visa "u ?is       
section4  7#b7 ,cle>+ rate ,! t]m cle>+ 
rate means ! l[e/ successful wage bid 9 
! sal>y survey = a specific qu>t]4  7#c7
 ,eligible c\nty ,! t]m eligible c\nty  
means a c\nty1 an indep5d5t city1 a p>i%
 79 ,l\isiana71 or a bor\gh 79 ,alaska7 
t has be5 designat$ by ! ,secret>y1 9   
accordance ) ! process describ$ 9       
subsection 7b71 z a jurisdiction t is   
eligible to p>ticipate 9 ! ,he>tl& ,visa
 ,program4  7#d7 ,he>tl& visa ,! t]m    
,he>tl& ,visa means a visa issu$ to an  
ali5 pursuant to ?is section4  7#e7     
,,hv-#a visa ,! t]m ,,hv-#a ,visa means 

a ,he>tl& ,visa issu$ to an applicant4  
7#f7 ,,hv-#b visa ,! t]m ,,hv-#b ,visa  
means a ,he>tl& ,visa issu$ to ! sp\se  
or *ild ( an applicant4  7#g7 ,national 
vett+ c5t] ,! t]m ,national ,vett+ ,c5t]
 means ! ,national ,vett+ ,c5t] e/abli%$
 pursuant to ,national ,security        
,presid5tial ,memor&um #i1 issu$ on     
,febru>y #f1 #bjah4  7#h7 ,p>ticipat+   
c\nty ,! t]m p>ticipat+ c\nty means an  
eligible c\nty t has elect$ to          
p>ticipate 9 ! ,he>tl& ,visa ,program4  
7#i7 ,remote work] ,! t]m remote work]  
means an employee ^: r\t9ely works = an 
employ] at a location t is n own$ or    
leas$ by 8 or h] employ]4  7#aj7        
,secret>y ,! t]m ,secret>y means !      
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security1 work+    
?r\gh ! ,director ( ,u4,s4 ,citiz5%ip & 
,immigration ,s]vices4  7#aa7 ,wage bid 
,! t]m wage bid means an annualiz$ sal>y
 report$ pursuant to subsection 7c77#b7 
t has be5 adju/$ 9 accordance )         
subsection 7c77#c74  7b7 ,designation & 
p>ticipation ( eligible c\nties  7#a7   

,initial designation  7,a7 ,requir$     
crit]ia ,dur+ ! #a-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on !
 date ( ! enactm5t ( ! ,he>tl& ,visa    
,act ( #bjbd1 a c\nty may n be designat$
 z an eligible c\nty unless-- 7i7 !     
numb] ( individuals resid+ 9 ! c\nty :o 
are at lea/ #be ye>s ( age & y\ng] ?an  
#ee ye>s ( age did n increase by m ?an  
#j4e p]c5t betwe5 ! #bjaj dec5nial c5sus
 & ! #bjbj dec5nial c5sus2 &  7ii7 !    
m$ian home value 9 ! c\nty1 z measur$ by
 ! #bjaf-bjbj ,am]ican ,community       
,survey ( ! ,bureau ( ! ,c5sus1 is n    
high] ?an ! national m$ian home value4  
7,b7 ,supplem5tal crit]ia ,9 addition to
 ! requirem5ts describ$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,a71 a c\nty may n be designat$ z an   
eligible c\nty dur+ ! #a-ye> p]iod      
beg9n+ on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( !       
,he>tl& ,visa ,act ( #bjbd unless-- 7i7 
! total numb] ( individuals resid+ 9 !  
c\nty did n increase by m ?an #j4e p]c5t
 betwe5 ! #bjaj dec5nial c5sus & ! #bjbj
 dec5nial c5sus2 or  7ii7 7,i7 ! total  
population resid+ 9 ! c\nty peak$ at !  

"t ( or be=e ! #aihj dec5nial c5sus2 &  
7,,ii7 ! total numb] ( individuals      
resid+ 9 ! c\nty did n increase by m ?an
 #e p]c5t betwe5 ! #bjaj dec5nial c5sus 
& ! #bjbj dec5nial c5sus4  7#b7         
,subsequ5t designation ( eligible       
c\nties ,aft] ! initial #a-ye> p]iod    
ref]r$ to 9 p>agraph 7#a71 any c\nty t  
did n meet ! initial crit]ia =          
designation z an eligible c\nty "u su*  
p>agraph may be s designat$ if su* c\nty
 meets ! crit]ia describ$ 9 p>agraph    
7#a71 z measur$ by comp>+ ! data f ! mo/
 rec5t #e-ye> ,am]ican ,community       
,survey publi%$ by ! ,bureau ( ! ,c5sus 
) ! data f ! ,am]ican ,community ,survey
 t 0 publi%$ #aj ye>s be=e ! publication
 ( ! mo/ rec5t ,am]ican ,community      
,survey4  7#c7 ,p>ticipation 9 he>tl&   
visa program  7,a7 ,application ,an     
eligible c\nty desir+ to p>ticipate 9 ! 
,he>tl& ,visa ,program1 aft] ! relevant 
c\nty decision-mak+ body au?orizes su*  
p>ticipation1 %all submit an application
 to ! ,secret>y t conta9s su* in=mation 

z ! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) !       
,secret>y ( ,labor1 may reasonably      
require4  7,b7 ,limit on total          
population ( p>ticipat+ c\nties ,!      
,secret>y1 9 consultation ) ! ,secret>y 
( ,labor1 %all det]m9e ! numb] (        
p>ticipat+ c\nties4 ,9 mak+ su*         
det]m9ation1 ! ,secret>y %all-- 7i7     
limit ! comb9$ population ( all         
p>ticipat+ c\nties to n m ?an           
#be1jjj1jjj2  7ii7 ensure t all #d      
,c5sus ,bureau regions are repres5t$2 & 
7iii7 include bo? rural & urban c\nties4
  7,c7 ,selection crit]ia ,9 det]m9+ :i*
 eligible c\nties w be designat$ z      
p>ticipat+ c\nties1 ! ,secret>y1 9      
consultation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,labor1    
%all give priority to c\nties-- 7i7 ) a 
l>g] labor m>ket1 bas$ on population & !
 numb] ( individuals employ$ )9 ! c\nty2
  7ii7 t are adjac5t to o!r eligible    
c\nties t are also apply+ to p>ticipate 
9 ! ,program2  7iii7 9 :i* l[-co/ h\s+  
is available2  7iv7 9 :i* #a or m       
in/itutions ( high] education are       

locat$2 &  7v7 t demon/rate ! capacity  
to successfully absorb high-skill$      
immigrants1 includ+ a %ortage 9 skill$  
labor1 local organizations d$icat$ to   
help+ skill$ immigrants1 &              
public-private p>tn]%ips4  7,d7         
,allocation ( visas  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,!    
,secret>y1 aft] consultation ) !        
,secret>y ( ,labor1 %all allocate       
,he>tl& ,visas1 on a qu>t]ly basis1     
among p>ticipat+ c\nties ?r\gh !        
wage-bas$ po9ts sy/em describ$ 9        
subsection 7c74  7ii7 ,priority ,he>tl& 
,visas %all be issu$ to qualify+        
applicants 9 ea* p>ticipat+ c\nty 9     
desc5d+ ord] ( ! wage bids until ! e>li]
 ( ! date on :i*-- 7,i7 all available   
visas = ! applicable qu>t] h be5 issu$2 
or  7,,ii7 !re are no m qualifi$        
applicants4  7#d7 ,t]m9at+ p>ticipation 
,a c\nty t has p>ticipat$ 9 ! ,he>tl&   
,visa ,program %all t]m9ate su*         
p>ticipation if-- 7,a7 ! relevant c\nty 
decision-mak+ body resc9ds its prior    
au?orization ref]r$ to 9 p>agraph       

7#c77;,a7 dur+ an annual opt out p]iod  
e/abli%$ by ! ,secret>y2  7,b7 !        
cumulative population gr[? ( ! c\nty    
s9ce ! date on :i* ! c\nty began        
p>ticipat+ 9 ! ,he>tl& ,visa ,program   
exce$s #ae p]c5t2 or  7,c7 ! m$ian home 
value 9 ! c\nty exce$s ! national m$ian 
home value by at lea/ #bj p]c5t1 z      
measur$ by ! mo/ rec5tly publi%$ #e-ye> 
,am]ican ,community ,survey4  7c7 ,wage 
bids  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all   
allocate ,he>tl& ,visas1 on a qu>t]ly   
basis1 among p>ticipat+ c\nties ?r\gh ! 
wage-bas$ po9ts sy/em describ$ 9 ?is    
subsection4 ,he>tl& ,visas %all be issu$
 to qualify+ applicants 9 ea* p>ticipat+
 c\nty 9 desc5d+ ord] ( ! wage bids     
until all available visas h be5 issu$ or
 !re are no m qualifi$ applicants       
rema9+4  7#b7 ,qu>t]ly sal>y surveys ,! 
,secret>y %all hold qu>t]ly sal>y       
surveys ?r\gh :i* eligible applicants   
may submit-- 7,a7 7i7 ! "n ( a          
prospective employ] t has giv5 !        
applicant an (f] ( employm5t & pro( (   

su* (f] t id5tifies ! annualiz$ sal>y   
be+ (f]$2 or  7ii7 if ! applicant int5ds
 to rema9 9 8 or h] curr5t job &        
relocate to ano!r p>ticipat+ c\nty1 ! "n
 ( ! applicant's curr5t employ] & pro( (
 ! annualiz$ sal>y t he or %e is be+    
paid2  7,b7 ! curr5t age ( ! applicant2 
7,c7 pro( t ! applicant has e>n$ a      
ba*elor's degree or high] f an accr$it$ 
in/itution ( high] education )9 !       
p>ticipat+ c\nty1 if applicable2 &  7,d7
 evid5ce t ! applicant meets !          
requirem5ts "u p>agraph 7#c77;,c71 if   
applicable4  7#c7 ,adju/m5ts to         
calculate wage bid ,! ,secret>y %all    
calculate a wage bid = ea* applicant--  
7,a7 by multiply+ ! annualiz$ sal>y     
report$ pursuant to p>agraph 7#b7-- 7i7 
= applicants :o are y\ng] ?an #be ye>s (
 age1 by a factor t is n m ?an #b4e & is
 high] ?an ! factor applicable to       
applicants describ$ 9 clause 7ii72  7ii7
 = applicants :o are at lea/ #be ye>s ( 
age & y\ng] ?an #cj ye>s ( age1 by a    
factor t is l[] ?an ! factor applicable 

to applicants describ$ 9 clause 7i7 &   
high] ?an ! factor applicable to        
applicants describ$ 9 clause 7iii72     
7iii7 = applicants :o are at lea/ #cj   
ye>s ( age & y\ng] ?an #ce ye>s ( age1  
by a factor t is l[] ?an ! factor       
applicable to applicants describ$ 9     
clause 7ii7 & high] ?an ! factor        
applicable to applicants describ$ 9     
clause 7iv72  7iv7 = applicants :o are  
at lea/ #ce ye>s ( age & y\ng] ?an #dj  
ye>s ( age1 by a factor t is l[] ?an !  
factor applicable to applicants describ$
 9 clause 7iii7 & high] ?an ! factor    
applicable to applicants describ$ 9     
clause 7v72 &  7v7 = applicants :o are  
at lea/ #dj ye>s ( age1 by a factor t is
 l[] ?an ! factor applicable to         
applicants describ$ 9 clause 7iv7 & n   
less ?an #a4j2  7,b7 = applicants :o h  
e>n$ a ba*elor's degree or high] f an   
in/itution ( high] education 7z def9$ 9 
section #aja ( ! ,high] ,education ,act 
( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja77 locat$ )9
 ! p>ticipat+ c\nty1 multiply+ su*      

annualiz$ sal>y1 z adju/$ pursuant to   
subp>agraph 7,a7 7if applicable71 by    
#a4a2 &  7,c7 = applicants :o are       
transf]r+ )9 a company or are remote    
work]s & :o h be5 employ$ cont9u\sly =  
at lea/ #a ye> by su* company dur+ ! mo/
 rec5t #c-ye> p]iod1 by multiply+ su*   
annualiz$ sal>y1 z adju/$ pursuant to   
subp>agraphs 7,a7 & 7,b7 7if            
applicable71 by #a4a4  7#d7 ,age weight+
 factors ,! ,secret>y %all set ! factors
 "u clauses 7i7 ?r\gh 7iv7 ( p>agraph   
7#c77;,a7 to maximize ! expect$ future  
lifetime e>n+s ( ,he>tl& ,visa hold]s4  
7#e7 ,alt]native wage bid ,a            
self-employ$ applicant1 includ+         
freelanc]s provid+ remote pr(essional   
s]vices1 entrepr5eurs />t+ a new bus9ess
 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 & entrepr5eurs mov+ 
_! bus9ess op]ations to ! ,unit$ ,/ates1
 may submit a wage bid to ! ,secret>y   
consi/+ ( ! av]age annual p]sonal net   
e>n+s receiv$ f 8 or h] bus9ess dur+ !  
mo/ rec5t #c-ye> p]iod4  7#f7 ,m9imum   
sal>y ,any applicant ) an annualiz$     

sal>y (f] describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 t is 
less ?an ! ,unit$ ,/ates m$ian annual   
e>n+s = full-"t1 ye>-r\nd work]s = ! mo/
 rec5t fiscal ye> is ineligible to      
receive a ,he>tl& ,visa "u ?is section4 
7d7 ,t]ms & employm5t conditions  7#a7  
,fees  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y %all  
collect f ea* ,he>tl& ,visa applicant1  
at ! "t ( application-- 7i7 an          
application fee or a r5ewal fee1 z      
applicable2  7ii7 an additional fee to  
pay = ! enhanc$ vett+ requir$ "u        
subsection 7f77#b72 &  7iii7 = ^? seek+ 
p]man5t resid5ce 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates      
pursuant to subsection 7i71 an adju/m5t 
( /atus fee 9 accordance ) section #bde4
  7,b7 ,am\nt  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,subject to 
clauses 7ii7 & 7iii71 ! ,secret>y %all  
set ! am\nt = ! fees requir$ "u         
subp>agraph 7,a7 at an am\nt t is       
suffici5t to cov]1 b n exce$1 ! co/s (  
process+ applications "u ?is section4   
7ii7 ,premium fee ,subject to clause    
7iii71 ! ,secret>y %all collect a       
premium fee ( #b1hje = ali5s desir+     

exp$it$ process+ ( _! immigration       
application "u ?is section4 ,su* fee    
%all be return$ if ! relevant           
application is n process$ by ! date t is
 #ae days aft] ! date on :i* su*        
application is receiv$ by ! ,secret>y4  
7iii7 ,bi5nial adju/m5t ,! ,secret>y    
%all adju/ ! premium fee au?oriz$ "u    
clause 7ii7 on a bi5nial basis by !     
p]c5tage 7if any7 by :i* ! ,consum]     
,price ,index = ,all ,urban ,consum]s = 
! mon? ( ,june prec$+ ! date on :i* su* 
adju/m5t takes effect exce$s ! ,consum] 
,price ,index = ,all ,urban ,consum]s = 
! same mon? ( ! second prec$+ cal5d>    
ye>4 ,! provisions ( section #eec (     
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 %all n   
apply to an adju/m5t au?oriz$ "u ?is    
clause4  7,c7 ,he>tl& visa acc\nt       
,am\nts collect$ pursuant to subp>agraph
 7,a7 %all be deposit$ into ! ,he>tl&   
,visa ,acc\nt e/abli%$ "u section       
#bhf7w74  7#b7 ,t]m2 r5ewal  7,a7 ,t]m  
,an applicant :o is issu$ a ,he>tl&     
,visa pursuant to ?is section-- 7i7 %all

 reside1 dur+ ! #c-ye> p]iod su* visa   
rema9s 9 effect1 except = an initial    
grace p]iod ( up to #c mon?s1 z det]m9$ 
by ! ,secret>y1 9-- 7,i7 a p>ticipat+   
c\nty2 or  7,,ii7 a c\nty t 0 a         
p>ticipat+ c\nty at ! "t ! applicant    
fir/ e/abli%$ resid5cy 9 su* c\nty2     
7ii7 may be employ$ by any employ] 9 !  
,unit$ ,/ates dur+ su* #c-ye> p]iod2    
7iii7 may n be )9 any ( ! classes (     
inadmissible ali5s describ$ 9 section   
#bab7;a7 & %all be remov$ f ! ,unit$    
,/ates if he or %e is )9 any ( ! classes
 ( deportable ali5s describ$ 9 section  
#bcg7;a72 &  7iv7 %all dep>t f ! ,unit$ 
,/ates be=e ! la/ day ( su* #c-ye> p]iod
 unless-- 7,i7 ! applicant r5ews su*    
/atus pursuant to subp>agraph 7,b72 or  
7,,ii7 ! applicant1 foll[+ ! #bnd #c-ye>
 t]m1 applies to adju/ 8 or h] /atus to 
t ( an ali5 lawfully admitt$ = p]man5t  
resid5ce pursuant subsection 7h74  7,b7 
,r5ewal ,an applicant may r5ew a ,he>tl&
 ,visa issu$ pursuant to ?is section =  
#a additional #c-ye> p]iod "u ! same    

t]ms & conditions z ! initial ,he>tl&   
,visa 0 issu$ by submitt+ to ! ,secret>y
 pro( t ! applicant has compli$ )       
subp>agraph 7,a77i7 & p>agraph 7#c7 dur+
 ! p]iod 9 :i* su* visa 0 9 effect4     
7#c7 ,e>n+s requirem5t ,ea* ,he>tl&     
,visa hold] %all e>n an annualiz$ sal>y 
equal to n less ?an ! less] (-- 7,a7 !  
am\nt he or %e includ$ 9 8 or h]        
response to ! applicable qu>t]ly sal>y  
survey "u subsection 7c77#b72 or  7,b7 !
 l[e/ qu>t]ly auction cle>+ rate dur+ ! 
mo/ rec5t #ab-mon? p]iod4  7#d7 ,sp\ses 
& dep5d5ts  7,a7 ,application ,ea*      
,he>tl& ,visa hold] may apply = an      
,,hv-#b visa on behalf ( 8 or h] sp\se &
 any ( 8 or h] unm>ri$ dep5d5t *ildr54  
7,b7 ,t]m ,an ,,hv-#b visa issu$        
pursuant to subp>agraph 7,a7 %all rema9 
valid :ile ! ,he>tl& ,visa ( ! sp\se or 
p>5t rema9s valid4  7,c7 ,employm5t     
au?orization ,! ,secret>y %all          
automatically au?orize ali5 sp\ses &    
unm>ri$ dep5d5t *ildr5 :o are at lea/   
#af ye>s ( age to engage 9 employm5t 9 !

 ,unit$ ,/ates if su* ali5s-- 7i7 7     
issu$ an ,,hv-#b visa pursuant to       
subp>agraph 7,a72 &  7ii7 are accompany+
 or foll[+ to jo9 ! pr9cipal ,he>tl&    
,visa hold] :ile ma9ta9+ su* /atus4     
7,d7 ,exemption f num]ical limitation   
,,hv-#b visas issu$ to sp\ses & *ildr5  
pursuant to subp>agraph 7,a7 %all n be  
subject to ! num]ical limitation set =? 
9 subsection 7g74  7#e7 ,no dual int5t  
requirem5t  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,not)/&+      
subsection 7h71 an ali5 ^: nonimmigrant 
visa 0 issu$ "u ! condition t su* ali5  
int5ds to dep>t ! ,unit$ ,/ates ^u !    
expiration ( su* visa may apply = an    
,,hv-#a visa "u ?is section4  7,b7      
,ex*ange visitor program p>ticipants ,a 
nonimmigrant admitt$ to ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
"u section #aja7;a77#ae77;,j77i7 ^:     
employm5t has be5 fund$1 9 :ole or 9 "p1
 directly or indirectly1 by any ,unit$  
,/ates ,gov]nm5t ag5cy 7o!r ?an !       
,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate's ,bureau (           
,educational & ,cultural ,affairs7 is   
eligible to apply = an ,,hv-#a ,visa4   

,not)/&+ section #bab7;e71 if su* a     
nonimmigrant is issu$ su* a visa1 ! ali5
 %all be exempt f ! #b-ye> home c\ntry  
resid5cy requirem5t "u su* section4     
7#f7 ,cont9u$ resid5ce 9 a c\nty t has  
t]m9at$ p>ticipation 9 ! he>tl& visa    
program ,a ,he>tl& ,visa hold] resid+ 9 
a c\nty t t]m9ates its p>ticipation 9 ! 
,he>tl& ,visa program pursuant to       
subsection 7b77#c77;,b7 may-- 7,a7      
cont9ue to reside 9 su* c\nty until !   
end ( ! curr5t #c-ye> t]m2  7,b7 r5ew ! 
,he>tl& ,visa = ano!r #c-ye> t]m 9      
accordance ) p>agraph 7#b77;,b72 &  7,c7
 move to ano!r p>ticipat+ c\nty4  7e7   
,v]ification portal  7#a7 ,in=mation to 
be submitt$ by he>tl& visa hold]s ,all  
,he>tl& ,visa hold]s %all notify !      
,secret>y ( any *anges to 8 or h]       
physical address or employm5t by        
submitt+1 n lat] ?an #fj days aft] su*  
docum5tation is creat$-- 7,a7 a digital 
copy ( a sign$ sale1 lease1 or r5tal    
agreem5t = _! new resid5ce2 &  7,b7 to  
demon/rate t _! e>n+s meet ! m9imum     

e>n+s requirem5t "u subsection 7d77#c7--
 7i7 a digital copy ( a sign$ employm5t 
agreem5t or digital copies ( wage       
/atem5ts2 or  7ii7 = self-employ$       
,he>tl& ,visa hold]s1 a digital copy (  
all tax returns submitt$ to ! ,int]nal  
,rev5ue ,s]vice docum5t+ e>n+s :ile 9   
su* /atus4  7#b7 ,in=mation to be       
submitt$ by employ]s ,all employ]s (    
,he>tl& ,visa hold]s %all-- 7,a7 submit 
docum5tation t ! employ] is pay+ a sal>y
 to ea* ,he>tl& ,visa hold] t meets !   
m9imum e>n+s requirem5t "u subsection   
7d77#c72 &  7,b7 notify ! ,secret>y if  
any ,he>tl& ,visa hold] has t]m9at$ 8 or
 h] employm5t ) ! employ]4  7#c7        
,inve/igations ,! ,secret>y %all conduct
 r&om inve/igations to det]m9e :e!r     
,he>tl& ,visa hold]s are comply+ ) !    
resid5cy requirem5ts "u p>agraph        
7#b77;,a77i7 ( subsection 7d71 except z 
provid$ "u p>agraph 7#d7 ( su*          
subsection4  7f7 ,vett+ requirem5ts     
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,all applicants = !       
,he>tl& ,visa ,program1 includ+         

applicants submitt+ initial             
applications1 r5ewal applications1 &    
applications = p]man5t resid5ce1 %all   
und]go a compreh5sive backgr\nd *eck    
conduct$ by ! ,national ,vett+ ,c5t] to 
ensure !y d n pose a security risk to ! 
,unit$ ,/ates4  7#b7 ,enhanc$ vett+     
requirem5t = c]ta9 applicants ,9        
addition to ! g5]al backgr\nd *eck1 any 
applicant = a ,he>tl& ,visa :o is a     
national ( a c\ntry designat$ z a       
,c\ntry ( ,p>ticul> ,conc]n "u section  
#djb ( ! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om
 ,act ( #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7 %all
 be subject to enhanc$ vett+ proc$ures1 
:i* %all include-- 7,a7 additional      
security scre5+s & m&atory int]views2   
7,b7 compreh5sive backgr\nd *ecks2 &    
7,c7 a ?or\gh review ( ! applicant's    
travel hi/ory & affiliations4  7#c7     
,coord9ation ,9 c>ry+ out ! backgr\nd   
*ecks & vett+ proc$ures requir$ "u ?is  
subsection1 ! ,secret>y ( ,homel&       
,security %all coord9ate ) o!r relevant 
,f$]al ag5cies1 includ+ ! ,f$]al ,bureau

 ( ,inve/igation & ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate4 
7#d7 ,discrim9ation prohibit$ ,no p]son 
or entity p>ticipat+ 9 ! ,he>tl& ,visa  
,program1 includ+ c\nties1 employ]s1 &  
any o!r /akehold]s1 may discrim9ate     
aga9/ any applicant or visa hold] bas$  
on nationality1 race1 color1 religion1  
sex1 national orig91 age1 disability1 or
 g5etic in=mation4  7g7 ,num]ical       
limitations  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! numb] (   
,,hv-#a visas available 9 ea* fiscal ye>
 %all be #ej1jjj4  7#b7 ,reallocation ( 
unus$ visas ,! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 9     
consultation ) ! ,secret>y1 %all-- 7,a7 
calculate ! diff]5ce betwe5 ! numb] (   
,,hv-#a visas au?oriz$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 
= a fiscal ye> & ! numb] ( su* visas    
issu$ 9 su* fiscal ye>2 &  7,b7         
reallocate any unus$ ,,hv-#a visas = !  
foll[+ fiscal ye>4  7h7 ,adju/m5t (     
/atus  7#a7 ,application ,dur+ !        
#ij-;day p]iod imm$iately prec$+ !      
completion ( a second #c-ye> ,he>tl&    
,visa t]m1 a visa hold] may apply = an  
adju/m5t ( /atus to t ( a p]son admitt$ 

= p]man5t resid5ce4 ,all su* applicants 
%all be grant$ an ext5sion ( _! ,he>tl& 
,visa /atus until-- 7,a7 ! date on :i*  
su* application is approv$2 or  7,b7 if 
su* application is d5i$1 ! date t is #fj
 days aft] ! date ( su* d5ial4  7#b7    
,approval crit]ia ,! ,secret>y %all     
approve any application submitt$        
pursuant to p>agraph 7#a7 by a ,he>tl&  
,visa hold] :o-- 7,a7 has fully compli$ 
) ! requirem5ts ( ! ,he>tl& ,visa       
,program "u ?is section2 &  7,b7 has met
 ! e>n+s requirem5t "u subp>agraph 7,a7 
or 7,b7 ( p>agraph 7#c71 z v]ifi$ ?r\gh 
an inspection ( ! applicants tax        
records4  7#c7 ,e>n+s requirem5t  7,a7  
,/&>d crit]ia ,a ,he>tl& ,visa hold]    
meets ! e>n+s requirem5t "u ! /&>d      
crit]ia if 8 or h] av]age e>n+s dur+ !  
previ\s #e ye>s 0 n less ?an !          
age-specific #ge? income p]c5tile am\nt 
dur+ su* p]iod4  7,b7 ,high] e>n]       
crit]ia ,a ,he>tl& ,visa hold] meets !  
e>n+s requirem5t "u ! high] e>n] crit]ia
 if 8 or h] e>n+s dur+ at lea/ #b ( !   

previ\s #e ye>s 0 n less ?an !          
age-specific #ij? income p]c5tile am\nt 
= su* ye>s4  7,c7 ,calculation ( e>n+s  
?re%olds  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y1 us+
 ! microdata f ! mo/ rec5t ,am]ican     
,community ,survey1 %all annually       
calculate1 = ea* s+le-ye> age1 ! #ge? & 
#ij? income p]c5tile am\nts = all ,unit$
 ,/ates resid5ts4  7ii7 ,notification ,!
 ,secret>y %all notify ea* newly approv$
 ,he>tl& ,visa hold] ( ! age-specific   
#ge? & #ij? income p]c5tile am\nts      
applicable to su* p]son = ea* ( ! foll[+
 #f ye>s4  7#d7 ,sp\ses & *ildr5 ,an    
,,hv-#a visa hold] :o applies = p]man5t 
resid5ce pursuant to p>agraph 7#a7 may  
concurr5tly apply = p]man5t resid5ce on 
behalf ( 8 or h] sp\se & any unm>ri$    
dep5d5t *ildr5 :o 7 issu$ an ,,hv-#b    
visa concurr5tly ) ! pr9cipal ,he>tl&   
,visa hold] pursuant to subsection      
7d77#d7 or1 ) respect to sp\ses & *ildr5
 :o foll[$ to jo9 su* ,,hv-#a visa      
hold]1 7 lat] issu$ an ,,hv-#b visa4    
,su* application %all be approv$ if !   

,,hv-#b visa hold] meets o!r applicable 
crit]ia "u section #bde = adju/m5t to   
p]man5t resid5t /atus4  7#e7 ,exclusion 
f num]ical limitations ,immigrant visas 
au?oriz$ "u ?is subsection are n subject
 to any o!rwise applicable num]ical     
limitations1 includ+ p] c\ntry caps4    
7i7 ,p5alties ,applicants = ,he>tl&     
,visas :o violate any provision ( ?is   
,act %all be subject to ! same p5alties 
applicable to o!r visa applicants =     
simil> violations1 includ+ f9es1        
deportation1 & disqualification f future
 p>ticipation 9 ! ,he>tl& ,visa         
,program4  4  7b7 ,cl]ical am5dm5t ,!   
table ( cont5ts ( ! ,immigration &      
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja   
note7 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item    
relat+ to section #baj ! foll[+3  ,sec4 
#baj;,a4 ,he>tl& ,visa ,program4  4  #d4
 ,rulemak+ ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! 
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 !         
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security %all      
promulgate regulations t-- 7#a7 e/abli% 
! requirem5ts & proc$ures ! ,secret>y   

det]m9es necess>y to c>ry out & implem5t
 ! ,he>tl& ,visa ,program au?oriz$ "u   
section #baj;,a ( ! ,immigration &      
,nationality ,act1 z add$ by section    
#c7;a7 ( ?is ,act1 includ+-- 7,a7 !     
crit]ia & process = ! initial & ongo+   
designation ( eligible c\nties2  7,b7 ! 
application process = c\nties seek+ to  
p>ticipate 9 ! program2  7,c7 !         
wage-bas$ po9ts sy/em = allocat+ visas1 
includ+ ! me?odology = calculat+ wage   
bids & cle>+ rates2  7,d7 ! v]ification 
& report+ requirem5ts = ,he>tl& ,visa   
hold]s & _! employ]s2  7,e7 ! proc$ures 
= ! r5ewal ( ,he>tl& ,visas2 &  7,f7 !  
crit]ia requir$ = adju/+ ! /atus ( a    
,he>tl& ,visa hold] to lawful p]man5t   
resid5t2  7#b7 c]tify ! relevant        
decision-mak+ body 9 ea* eligible c\nty 
t is au?oriz$ to elect to p>ticipate 9 !
 ,he>tl& ,visa ,program1 includ+-- 7,a7 
! crit]ia = ! c]tification ( su* bodies2
 &  7,b7 ! process = c\nties to e/abli% 
or designate a decision-mak+ body if su*
 an entity does n curr5tly exi/2  7#c7  

id5tify :i* c\nties lack su* a          
decision-mak+ body & ^: p>ticipation 9  
,he>tl& ,visa ,program w be det]m9$ by !
 ,/ate legislature1 includ+-- 7,a7 !    
crit]ia = id5tify+ su* c\nties2 &  7,b7 
! process = /ate legislatures to elect  
p>ticipation 9 ! program on behalf ( su*
 c\nties2  7#d7 specify :at con/itutes  
suffici5t pro( ( rec5t e>n+s = purposes 
( p>agraph 7#b77;,a7 & 7#e7 ( section   
#baj;,a7b7 ( ! ,immigration &           
,nationality ,act1 z add$ by section    
#c7;a7 ( ?is ,act1 includ+-- 7,a7 !     
types ( acceptable docum5tation1 :i* may
 include tax returns1 wage /atem5ts1    
employm5t contracts2  7,b7 ! process =  
/ate legislatures to elect p>ticipation 
9 ! program on behalf ( ^! c\nties1 :i* 
%all include-- 7i7 a =mal resolution or 
legislative act by ! /ate legislature   
au?oriz+ ! c\nty's p>ticipation 9 !     
,he>tl& ,visa ,program2  7ii7 !         
designation ( a ,/ate-level ag5cy or    
(fice to ov]see & coord9ate !           
implem5tation ( ! ,he>tl& ,visa ,program

 )9 su* c\nty2  7iii7 ! e/abli%m5t ( a  
local advisory committee compris+       
community lead]s1 bus9ess               
repres5tatives1 & o!r /akehold]s to     
provide input & support = ! ,he>tl&     
,visa ,program2 &  7iv7 proc$ures =     
ongo+ monitor+ & report+ by ! ,/ate     
legislature reg>d+ ! c\nty's            
p>ticipation 91 & outcomes (1 ! ,he>tl& 
,visa ,program2  7#e7 ensure ! fair &   
equitable treatm5t ( all applicants &   
p>ticipants 9 ! ,he>tl& ,visa ,program1 
includ+-- 7,a7 proc$ures to prev5t      
discrim9ation bas$ on nationality1 race1
 or o!r protect$ *>act]i/ics2 &  7,b7   
me*anisms = address+ grievances &       
disputes relat$ to ! ,he>tl& ,visa      
,program2 &  7#f7 require p]iodic       
reviews & evaluations ( ! ,he>tl& ,visa 
,program1 includ+-- 7,a7 metrics =      
assess+ ! ,he>tl& ,visa ,program's      
impact on p>ticipat+ c\nties & visa     
hold]s2  7,b7 proc$ures = collect+ &    
report+ data reg>d+ ! outcomes ( !      
,he>tl& ,visa ,program2 &  7,c7         

me*anisms = mak+ adju/m5ts to ! ,he>tl& 
,visa ,program bas$ on ! f9d+s ( su*    
reviews & evaluations4