The H-1B visa rules are about to undergo a major revision that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is about to announce. This change has the potential to drastically alter the employment and professional landscape for Indian nationals in particular. On July 8, the new regulations will be made public, opening up a period of public discussion before they are formally adopted.
The establishment of a $4,000 fee for extending H-1B visa and a $4,500 fee for extending L-1 visas is one of the suggested modifications. These charges are consistent with the 9/11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee, which are only presently applicable to new visa petitions and employer changes.
When the rule was first proposed on October 23, of the previous year, it was subject to a 60-day comment period. According to reports from Forbes, the rule may be finalised by the Biden administration either after the next election or by the end of this year. Thousands of Indians who wish to live and work in the US may have their plans disrupted by these changes, which might also affect many potential applications and H-1B visa holders.
The proposed regulations redefining speciality vocations is one of their more controversial aspects. According to the new definition, some degrees that are directly related to the work’s particular specialisations would be required for certain employment types. This is similar to a Trump administration policy that was sued on the grounds that it disregarded a large number of highly qualified foreign workers. As per the updated definition, people who have earned degrees in business administration may be classified as possessing a “general degree,” which may not be considered adequate for classification as a specialty occupation.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering charging employers hefty fees for the extension of H-1B and L-1 visas; this is particularly aimed at companies that employ more than 50% of their workers on these visas. These visas highlight the value of talented workers in the US labour market by enabling US employers to hire foreign workers for specialist positions that are difficult to fill domestically.
The majority of H-1B visa holders, Indians, will probably be the most affected by these proposed changes. Businesses that rely on visa extensions would experience severe financial consequences, which would force them to reconsider how they hire foreign workers.
The possible effects on companies and foreign professionals will continue to be a major topic of conversation as the USCIS prepares to implement these new restrictions. The suggested modifications signal a larger attempt to strike a compromise between the administration’s regulatory objectives and the need for skilled foreign labour, paving the way for a potentially revolutionary era in US immigration policy.
Also read: Traveling to Europe This Summer? Fees for Schengen Visa Will Increase in June
