State-Sponsored Visa Pilot Program Act of 2026

Economic Contribution and Service: Aliens can come to the United States temporarily to reside in a State to perform services, provide capital investment, or direct the operations of an enterprise to contribute to a State's economic development agenda (Section 2).

Family Inclusion: The nonimmigrant status extends to the alien's spouse and minor children (Section 2).

Employment Flexibility: A State-sponsored nonimmigrant is allowed to seek employment with an employer other than the one they were initially employed with (Section 3(a)(3)(4)(D)).

Professional Advancement: Nonimmigrants are eligible to apply for occupational licenses, certificates, credential evaluations, and skills assessments regulated by the sponsoring State (Section 3(a)(3)(D)(iii)).

Path to Permanent Residency: An alien with an approved immigrant petition may file an adjustment of status application and, while it is pending, have a lawful status and be eligible for employment and travel authorization (Section 3(c)).

Restrictions on Public Benefits: State-sponsored nonimmigrants are prohibited from applying for or receiving any Federal means-tested benefits or entitlements (Section 3(a)(3)(12)(A)).

Financial Burdens via Bonds: States may require nonimmigrants to pay a bond to incentivize compliance, and if a State has high violation rates, mandatory bonds of at least $4,000 may be required (Section 3(a)(3)(13)).

Loss of Status for Movement: An alien's authorized status may be terminated if they reside or work outside of the State that sponsored them (Section 3(a)(3)(6)(C)(i)).

Limited Legal Recourse: Judicial review for the denial or revocation of an application is limited to determinations regarding the constitutionality of the law, and certain State actions are not reviewable by Federal agencies or courts (Section s3(a)(3)(8) and Section 3(b)).

Waiver of Rights: To receive status, an alien must waive the right to review or appeal certain determinations regarding admissibility at the port of entry or actions for removal (Section 3(a)(3)(9)(C)).