US H-1B Visa Rules: H-1B visa is very important for Indians thinking of working in America. The reason for this is that most people from India go to work in sectors like IT, finance. H-1B visa is required to work here.
H-1B Visa News: America’s ‘Department of Homeland Security’ is going to make a big change in the rules of the H-1B visa program. The new changes will come into effect from January 17. The change, named H-1B Modernization Final Rule, will make the process of hiring skilled foreign workers in America easier. The reason behind these changes is to meet the needs of companies, simplify the visa process and clarify the rules so that employers can easily understand the visa process.
Through the H-1B visa program, American companies hire foreign workers in specialized fields. Companies have to sponsor foreign workers. This is why after the new rules, companies/employers applying for H-1B visa will now have to use Form I-129. This form will be mandatory from January 17. To make companies familiar with the new changes, ‘US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) has published all the changes on its website.
What major changes can happen in the H-1B program?
- While applying for a visa, it has to be proved that the foreign worker has the required degree to do the job for which he is being hired.
- Non-profit and government research organizations will be exempted from the annual limit on the number of H-1B visas. The eligibility criteria for them has also been updated.
- The biggest benefit of the changes in the visa program will be for foreign students including Indians. Students who come to study on F-1 visa will no longer have to face much difficulty in getting a visa.
- If someone has already received an H-1B visa and is applying for it again, then USCIS will approve his application quickly.
- Under the new rules, USCIS can investigate companies whether the rules are being followed there after getting the H-1B visa or not.
Currently, only 65 thousand H-1B visas are issued every year in the US. Apart from this, 20 thousand visas are given to students studying in American institutions. These changes in the H-1B visa are being made at a time when a lot of controversy is being seen regarding it. Donald Trump’s supporters say that this program should be abolished because Americans are losing jobs due to it. However, Trump seems to be standing in support of this program.
