America’s ‘Department of Homeland Security’ is going to make major changes in the rules of H-1B visa program. The new changes will come into effect from January 17. The change, known as the H-1B Modernization Final Rule, will make it easier for the US to hire skilled foreign workers.
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.
The H-1B visa program allows US companies to hire foreign workers in specific sectors. Companies will have to sponsor foreign employees. This is why after the new rules, now companies/employers applying for H-1B visa will have to use Form I-129. This form will become mandatory from January 17. To make companies aware of the new changes, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published all the changes on its website.
What major changes can be made to the H-1B program?
- When applying for a visa, it must be proven that the foreign worker has the required degree to perform the job for which he or she is being hired.
- Non-profit and government research institutions will be exempted from the annual limit on the number of H-1B visas. The eligibility criteria for them have also been updated.
- Foreign students, including Indians, will benefit the most from the changes in the visa program. Students coming for studies on F-1 visa will no longer face much difficulty in getting the visa.
- If someone has already got an H-1B visa and is applying for it again, USCIS will approve the application immediately.
- Under the new rules, USCIS can inspect companies for compliance after issuing H-1B visas.
At present, only 65 thousand H-1B visas are issued every year in America. Apart from this, 20 thousand visas are given to students studying in American institutions. These changes in H-1B visa are being made at a time when there is a lot of controversy regarding it. Donald Trump’s supporters say that the program should be canceled because it is costing Americans jobs. But Trump seems to be sticking to this program.
