Brazil Joins Mexico, Canada, France, Jamaica, Spain and More as US Moves Forward with Bill to End Another Visa Travel Scheme: Everything You Need to Know

With a historic measure aimed at ending the H-1B visa program, the US is taking steps to change its immigration and travel policies. A wide range of countries throughout the world will be impacted by this move, not only the United States. Brazil is now joining Mexico, Canada, France, Jamaica, Spain, and many others in discussing a major change in visa travel regulations. The ramifications of this measure are significant: companies and tourists alike may soon have to adjust as trained individuals from these and other nations may soon have limited access to the United States.

What’s the EXILE Act and Why Should You Care?

The EXILE Act proposes a drastic change to U.S. immigration policy: reducing the cap on H-1B visas—currently 85,000 annually (with 20,000 set aside for advanced degree holders)—to zero by 2027. This means the end of a visa program that allows employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields, from software engineers and data scientists to doctors and researchers.

If this bill is enacted, it will not only affect foreign workers but also U.S. businesses that have relied on this visa to fill critical skill gaps in sectors like tech, healthcare, research, and engineering. Cities such as Silicon Valley, Seattle, Boston, and New York are home to a significant portion of these workers, and any disruption to this talent pipeline will reverberate throughout the economy.

How the EXILE Act Will Impact Global Travel

The H-1B visa has long been a gateway for skilled professionals to enter the U.S. to work, collaborate, and attend industry events. But if the H-1B program ends, the ability for foreign workers to come and go from the U.S. for work will be drastically reduced. Here’s why that matters:

1. Global Talent Movement:
   As of 2024, countries like India, China, and Brazil are the top countries where H-1B visa holders originate. In fact, recent data shows:
   • India: 2.83 lakh (71%) of all H-1B visa approvals.
   • China: 46,680 (12%) approvals.
   • Brazil: 2,641 approvals (0.7%).
   • Canada: 4,227 approvals (1.1%).
   • Mexico: 3,335 approvals (0.8%).
   • Spain: 1,043 approvals (0.3%).
   • France: 1,281 approvals (0.3%).
   • Jamaica: 851 approvals (0.2%).
   These professionals aren’t just filling U.S. jobs; they’re often contributing to global collaborations, research projects, and international business partnerships. Without the H-1B visa, many of these global citizens will be left searching for alternative paths to enter the U.S.—if they choose to relocate at all.
2. Air Travel:
   Many foreign workers travel to the U.S. regularly for business purposes—whether it’s to attend tech conferences, medical seminars, or meet clients. Airlines that fly between India, Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S. will likely see fewer business-class travelers, which could lead to a drop in demand for business-related travel. This could significantly affect international routes serviced by airlines like Emirates, Air India, and American Airlines.
3. Tourism Decline:
   Many H-1B holders don’t just work in the U.S.; they also tour the country. They might visit family, go on vacation, or even attend cultural and social events. As fewer skilled workers are able to travel to the U.S., the tourism sector could take a hit. A decline in business travel will likely reduce the number of foreign tourists visiting U.S. cities that thrive on international talent and visitors. Tourist spending contributes billions to the economy each year, and cities like San Francisco and New York could see a drop in revenue from foreign professionals who once relied on the H-1B visa to travel for both work and pleasure.

What Does This Mean for U.S. Tourism and Local Economies?

In 2025, international tourism to the U.S. dropped by 4.2%, leading to a loss of $50 billion in revenue. Visa restrictions and long processing delays were a contributing factor. If the EXILE Act goes into effect, it could exacerbate this trend, with countries like India and Brazil sending fewer skilled workers to the U.S. This would directly affect tourism in regions that rely heavily on these professionals for business trips and leisure visits.

Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles will be hit hard as these regions depend on foreign business tourists—professionals attending conferences, meetings, and collaborating with U.S. businesses. Without the flow of H-1B workers and their families traveling for leisure, these cities could see a significant decline in tourism-related revenue.

The Shift in Global Workforce Mobility: What’s Next?

The EXILE Act is not just about ending the H-1B visa; it’s about changing the global movement of skilled workers. If the U.S. tightens its grip on H-1B visas, countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK will likely see an increase in skilled migration. For instance, Canada’s Express Entry system offers a more accessible pathway for skilled workers, while Australia and the UK are making it easier for foreign professionals to move there with more attractive immigration policies.

If the U.S. becomes less appealing to foreign professionals due to tighter visa restrictions, these workers may relocate to other countries with more flexible immigration systems. This could result in brain drain, where the U.S. loses some of its brightest minds to countries that are easier to move to.

How Companies Are Reacting to the Changes

Some major U.S. companies, particularly in technology, healthcare, and engineering, are already reconsidering their reliance on the H-1B visa program. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have been encouraging their foreign workers to return quickly to the U.S. before new travel restrictions and visa changes take effect. These companies are also exploring alternative ways to hire talent from abroad, such as building remote teams or investing in local talent development in other countries.

For tech startups and innovative firms that rely on global talent, these changes will force them to rethink how they operate in the U.S. market. Companies will likely need to turn to other countries that are more open to skilled workers, or they may face a talent shortage in critical industries.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re a foreign professional currently working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa or planning to come here in the future, this bill could significantly affect your travel plans. You may face longer wait times for visa approval, or even find yourself unable to come to the U.S. at all. If the EXILE Act passes, you’ll need to explore alternative immigration pathways, whether that’s applying for work in another country with a more flexible visa system, or seeking remote work opportunities.

If you’re someone who regularly travels to the U.S. for business or tourism, you could also feel the impact. Fewer skilled workers will mean less international business travel, and cities that thrive on this travel will see a decline in tourism revenue. It’s also possible that international airfare prices may drop as the demand for business-class seats decreases. U.S. companies may need to adjust their hiring strategies and focus on local talent, leading to a shift in how U.S. cities engage with the global workforce.

The US is advancing a bill to end the H-1B visa program, impacting Brazil, Mexico, Canada, France, Jamaica, Spain, and more, as it seeks to reduce foreign labor reliance and reshape global talent mobility.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Immigration and Travel

The EXILE Act is not just another immigration bill—it’s a potential turning point in the way global talent moves across borders, how businesses operate, and how international travel is conducted. If this bill passes, we could see a shift in the balance of where professionals choose to work, live, and travel. For now, we can only wait and watch as this bill moves through Congress. But the impact on travel, tourism, and the workforce is something we all need to keep an eye on.

The post Brazil Joins Mexico, Canada, France, Jamaica, Spain and More as US Moves Forward with Bill to End Another Visa Travel Scheme: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Travel and Tour World