Up to 20,000 more guest worker visas will be available annually to foreigners who earn advanced degrees in the United States, under a bill passed by Congress this weekend.

In a catch-all spending bill, Congress agreed to a number of changes to the controversial H-1B and L-1 visa programs. President Bush on Saturday said he plans to sign the legislation.

Among the visa program changes in the bill are a requirement that companies attest that an H-1B worker will not displace a U.S. worker and a $500 “antifraud” fee tied to visa applications. In addition, up to 20,000 foreigners who earn a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution will not be counted toward the annual cap of 65,000 new H-1B visas.