306,601 Indians applications for Green Card are pending with US
300K Indians applications for Green Card are pending with US A total of 306,601 applications filed by Indian nationals for a Green Card under the Employment-Based Preference Category are pending approval with the US authorities, the latest available data show. Employment-Based Preference Category is the most important category for Green Card (permanent residency) applicants from India. The number of pending applications filed by dependent family members of the primary applicants under the Employment-Based Preference Category is not known. The latest available data shows that in 2016, 64,687 Indians received a Green Card, slightly higher than the 64,116 who were given permanent residence by the US in 2015. The number has varied over the years. For example, in 2014, 77,908 Indian nationals got a Green Card, as against 68,458 who did so in 2013. The number stood at 66,434 in 2012. The data are from the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). “We understand that no comprehensive changes have been made by the US administration in recent times to the framework for issuance of green cards to foreign nationals. And in August last year, the USCIS announced that it would expand in-person interviews for the applicants,” said an Indian official. Changes are being proposed both by the legislative and executive wings of the US government to the visa system. India has raised the issue with the US at various meetings. “We have been saying that the mobility of skilled workers to the US has been a mutually beneficial partnership which should be nurtured. Indian professionals have contributed to the growth and development of the US economy and helped it retain its competitive edge,” said another official. Former foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh said, issue of visas is a sovereign right of countries. He added: “But India and US have long been engaged in ensuring that movement of people is a mutually beneficial process. Indian workers helped the US economy immensely and the two countries have enough avenues between them to discuss and find a solution to these issues. -PTC News
