Skip to Main

Immediate Freeze on New (Initial) H-1B Petitions

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a Directive requiring an immediate freeze on all new (initial) H-1B petitions through May 31, 2027.

Effective January 27, 2026, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) is fully complying with this directive and has ceased processing new (initial) H-1B petitions for pending employees with accepted offers, whether they are located inside or outside the United States.

Examples of H-1B cases affected by the directive include:

  • An F-1 on OPT or a J-1 exchange visitor with a job offer whose H-1B Change of Status petition had not been submitted to USCIS by January 27, 2026.
  • A pending new employee being sponsored for an H-1B for the first time whose petition had not been submitted to USCIS by January 27, 2026.
  • A current H-1B holder employed by another U.S. employer who wishes to transfer to UTSW; because this requires a new H-1B petition, it is frozen if not submitted to USCIS by January 27, 2026.

Examples of H-1B cases not impacted by the directive include:

  • Any H-1B petition submitted to USCIS prior to the Governor’s directive (you or OIA would have a receipt number) will continue to be adjudicated. If approved, the hiring process may proceed as normal.
  • A current H-1B visa holder seeking to extend their H-1B status.
  • A current H-1B visa holder requiring an amendment due to a significant change in job title or responsibilities.

The Governor’s Office has indicated that additional guidance from the Texas Workforce Commission is forthcoming. OIA will share updates as more information becomes available and will advise on any changes to how this directive is implemented.

In the meantime, OIA’s immigration advising team is proactively contacting department hiring managers as affected new (initial) H-1B cases are identified. Hiring managers will then notify pending new employees who were being sponsored for employment under the H-1B program.

Further updates will be posted as they become available. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. 

Back-to top