We agree that the Japanese system is far more consistent. I think it's better!

But let's not kid ourselves: if the US instituted a CEFR B2 language requirement [1] for anyone on an H1B visa to gain residency, it would be an absolute shitshow.

[1] This is the new Japanese language requirement.

For the US to institute a language standard, we'd first have to agree on an official language at the federal level.

There's a (fairly basic but extant) English language requirement for naturalization, so it doesn't seem inconceivable that could be applied to a visa.

This has been a political issue in the past--mostly with respect to Spanish--but there's essentially a de facto English requirement for most purposes.

No, it would not be a shitshow. That's just your assumption.

Do you think I could not pass that test?

> Do you think I could not pass that test?

Well, I don't know you, but you've missed the point entirely so...

It would be a shitshow because of the politics of it. I am certain there would be plenty of people who could pass, and some who can't.

Also, it's obviously my assumption.

Right, it's obviously your assumption, but you stated the resulting shitshow as an obvious fact—"let's not kid ourselves".

I doubt H-1Bs would oppose taking that test. Many already took English proficiency exams by the time they apply for the visa.

I assume Americans in general would favor this extra requirement too.

And companies, if we decide we care about what they want, really have no reason to oppose the test. There's a large enough number of applicants that they can easily pick from the ones that do speak English fluently.

So to conclude it would be a shitshow because of the politics is likely incorrect, certainly defeatist, and gives up on the actual thing we should strive for, which is to make the H-1B visa better.

Assuming English is the language, CEFR B2 is roughly 75 in TOEFL, such a low standard that community colleges would think twice before admitting such internationals students. In reality H1B tech workers easily blows 100+.