USCIS to speed up H-1B visa processing
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The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will transfer the processing of specific H-1B visa petitions to an alternate place to clear the current visa backlog.
The government agency that controls the visa process some of the workloads were being shifted to the California center “in response to the H-1B receipt issuance delays at the Vermont Service Center. … This workload transfer will help us issue receipt notices for properly filed H-1B petitions more rapidly”.
Visa processing across categories has been slow in recent months on account of a huge backlog and shortage of staff at the service centers.
The H-1B visa lottery closed last month, following which the chosen petitioners were expected to submit their applications. To be eligible to begin working in the United States from 1st October this year.
A few of these petitions are also for visa expansions, failing which the candidate would no longer be eligible to continue working in the country.
This comes days after previous US Congresswoman Mia Love told a Senate Judiciary Committee. That there was a need to extend the number of H-1B visas that were being given every year. As the program hadn’t kept up with the nation’s requirements.
H-1B visa Processing
“In 2005, 85,000 visas were available. Today, almost 20 years after the fact, 85,000 visas are available. Moreover, there are many promising choices for extending skilled immigration,” Love told the committee.
The dependence of US technology organizations on the H-1B visa program has expanded in recent years. As they turn to immigrant talent to meet the shortage of niche technology skills in the US.
Love said allowing US companies easier access to skilled workers would help address issues around inflation and boost economic growth.
Almost 70% of the H-1B visas given every year are awarded to Indian nationals. Also, many of them work for American technology firms, followed by Indian IT services companies.
Also, Check [Delay in getting dates from US Embassy hits travel plans of H-1B visa holders]
To ease some of the stress around the backlog and slow processing of visas. Further, the US administration led by President Joe Biden said in May that it would automatically expand work permits. Also, for specific categories of green card candidates and spouses of H-1B visa holders.
Rather than a half year, it would automatically be extended for 18 months. From the expiration date on their employment authorization documents.
Source From: Economictimes.indiatimes.com
