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Expanding work eligibility for all H-1B spouses could reap significant benefits for the US, NFAP study says

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H-1B Techies

A new report by National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) showed that extending work eligibility criteria. For the spouses of H-1B visa holders could essentially help the US economy.

The study uncovered that dilating current work rules could provide the US with economic advantages, ease labor shortages, and attract more workers to the global competition for talent.

The study, composed by Madeline Zavodny, showed that most H-1B visa holders are married to skilled professionals. However, merely a fraction of their spouses has work eligibility.

Right now, only the spouses of H-1B visa holders who are in the line for a permanent visa can apply to work. As per the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation.

“Spouses who hold an H-4 (dependent) visa can apply for an employment authorization document (EAD). If their H-1B spouse has gotten an approved immigrant petition (I-140). Or if their H-1B spouse is expanding their status beyond the 6-year limit on an H-1B visa. And their employer has filed an I-140 petition or permanent labor certification and a year has passed since the filing occurred,” stated a TOI report.

Expanding work eligibility for all H-1B spouses

Based on an analysis of information from the 2017 and 2019 National Survey of College Graduates, the NFAP study highlights the following facts:

  • Just 27% of married foreign-born adults who have essentially a bachelor’s degree and hold a temporary dependent visa are employed. However, of the people who are employed, very nearly 40% work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field.
  • Those temporary dependent visa holders, large numbers of whom hold an H-4 visa. Are overwhelmingly female (90 percent) and predominately from India and China (67 percent and 6 percent, respectively). The larger part has their highest degree in a STEM field (54%).
  • The desire for H-1B spouses to work is obvious in the information that shows various foreign-born spouses of H-1B visa holders secure their visas separate from an H-4 EAD.

NFAP Review

Also, NFAP’s study investigated information from the 2017-2019 American Community Survey and found the following facts:

  • Very nearly 90% of spouses of likely H-1B visa holders have at least a bachelor’s degree, and over half have a graduate degree.
  • Almost half of the spouses of likely H-1B visa holders who have a bachelor’s degree had a STEM-related major.
  • Among spouses of likely H-1B visa holders who are employed, 42% are working in a STEM field.

According to the review, allowing all spouses of H-1B visa holders to work would bring that visa in line. Further, with several other categories of skilled temporary worker visas. Like the L-1 (or intracompany transferee visa). Also, long delays in processing H-4 EADs have plagued USCIS and the spouses who need the approval to work.

Also, Check [Mass Twitter layoffs put H-1B visa holders in an immigration limbo]

The spouses of H-1B visa holders who are easily available sources of skilled foreign workers are being dismissed by the current US immigration policy. Moreover, the spouses of H-1B visa holders tend to be highly educated, many of them in STEM fields. According to the study, allowing such H-1B visa holders to work would help recruit and retain skilled workers. Also, increase the already-considerable economic benefits of the H-1B visa category.

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