Amid unprecedented scrutiny, Trump administration begins H-1B visa application process
The US has started accepting applications for H-1B visas, considered as the most sought-after work visa among highly skilled Indian professionals, amidst unprecedented scrutiny by the Trump administration. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is the federal agency responsible to process the visas, yesterday started accepting applications for H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2019, beginning October 1. Here's more.
Zero tolerance for even minor errors by the USCIS
The USCIS had earlier indicated that there will be zero tolerance by it for even minor errors. As of now, the federal agency has not yet indicated if it plans to go for a computerized draw of lots as has been the case in previous years after receiving several times more than the Congressional mandated cap of H-1B visas.
H-1B visa lottery to reach annual cap within few days
A leading advocacy group representing the tech industry including Facebook said it expects the number of H-1B petitions to reach the Congressionally mandated caps in coming days. "Within a few days we expect that the H-1B visa lottery will reach the annual cap, as it has for the past six years, highlighting the overwhelming demand for this visa, FWD.us President Todd Schulte said.
What is the H-1B visa?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
There's an annual limit of 65,000 visas each fiscal year
The H-1B visa has an annual numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the Congress. The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries are exempt from the cap. Schulte said H-1B visa is a "key part of the high-skilled immigration" system that needs to be reformed to allow the US to remain the center for global innovation.
Todd Schulte voices his concern over the visa process
"We should make it easier for the best and brightest to come from around the world while also cracking down on bad actors," Schulte said, voicing his concern over the recent move to tighten the H-1B application approval process.
H-1B visa holders create jobs, raise wages for native-born Americans
"H-1B visa holders create jobs and raise wages for native-born Americans by bringing their ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit to the science, engineering, and tech sectors, creating American jobs and benefiting thousands of businesses and countless communities across the country," Schulte said. "Reforming and expanding high-skilled immigration is an important part of a broader fight to protect legal immigration avenues," he added.
Qualified and deserving American workers are ignored: USCIS
USCIS earlier said this work visa should help US companies recruit highly-skilled foreign nationals when there is a shortage of qualified workers in the country. "Many American workers who are qualified, deserving to work in these fields have been ignored. Employers who abuse the H-1B visa program may negatively affect US workers, decreasing wages and opportunities as they import more foreign workers," it said.
