It’s unclear what Mr. Trump meant exactly, as simplifying a path to citizenship for such visa holders would almost certainly require approval from Congress, and the White House has made no such suggestion in its latest border security funding proposal, or any other public offer.

“H1-B holders in the United States can rest assured that changes are soon coming which will bring both simplicity and certainty to your stay, including a potential path to citizenship,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “We want to encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue career options in the U.S.”

The H-1B visa, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, lets U.S. employers temporarily employ foreign workers with at least a bachelor’s degree for speciality occupations. H-1B visa holders can apply for a green card to obtain permanent residency — but even a green card does not equate to citizenship.