US likely to ease H-1B visas for Indian workers: Report
Modi visit to US: In order to help skilled workers enter or remain in the United States, the Joe Biden administration likely make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, as per the reports.
The good initiative by US administration for Indian workers came amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US.
Also Read: PM Modi presents thoughtful gifts to Bidens: Symbolising friendship and collaboration
As per the sources, the Joe Biden administration is likely to make the announcement on Thursday in a small gathering of Indians and some foreign workers.
US administration decision will also allow some of the temporary foreign workers to renew their visas in the US will free up resources for visa interviews in consulates in other nations.
The ease on H-1B visas for skilled Indian workers will be able to renew those visas in the US, without the need to having to travel to other nations.
Notably, Indian citizens made up 73 per cent of the nearly 4,42,000 H1-B workers in the fiscal year 2022. Another US official said that the mobility of the people is considered a "huge asset" to the US.
As per the report, US State Department spokesperson however did not reveal the visa types that would qualify or the timing of the pilot launch. The spokesperson said that the pilot will start with a small number of cases with the intent to scale the initiative in the following one or two years.
Notably, each year, the US government makes 65,000 H1-B visas available to companies that intend to have skilled foreign workers and an additional 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, sources stated.
The visa for the workers remains valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years.
Also Read: PM Modi's eventful visit to Washington: Dinner with Bidens and US Congress address await
The decision to allow some of the temporary foreign workers to renew their visas in the US will free up resources for visa interviews in consulates in other nations, Reuters reported citing the sources. Citing sources, the report said the pilot program will include some workers with L-1 visas.
Earlier, in March US received the sufficient number of electronic registrations needed to reach the congressionally mandated H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2024.
- With inputs from agencies
