H-1B visa overhaul 2025: Key changes and benefits for tech professionals
2 days, 1 hour ago

H-1B visa overhaul 2025: Key changes and benefits for tech professionals

India Today  

In encouraging news for Indian techies, the outgoing Joe Biden administration in the United States has announced reforms to the popular H-1B visa programme. Skilled Indian workers, who make up a significant chunk of the H-1B visa applicants every year, are expected to benefit from the visa overhaul. Here are the benefits of the new H-1B rules Flexibility The new rules offer greater to US employers to hire skilled foreign workers from countries like India and China. Bonanza for Indian Tech Professionals For Indian tech workers, the new reforms could mean smoother transitions, faster approvals and new job opportunities in the US.

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History of this topic

New US visa appointment rules to cut wait time, bring relief for Indians in 2025
4 days, 18 hours ago

New US visa appointment rules to cut wait time, bring relief for Indians in 2025

India Today  

The New Year will bring relief for Indians seeking to work and travel in the US. Starting January 1, 2025, the US Embassy in India will introduce new regulations for scheduling and rescheduling non-immigrant visa appointments to streamline the process and reduce wait times. This announcement comes just a day after the Department of Homeland Security revealed new rules to …

Biden admin makes it easier for US companies to hire foreign workers with H-1B visas
5 days, 5 hours ago

Biden admin makes it easier for US companies to hire foreign workers with H-1B visas

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: The outgoing Biden administration has relaxed rules for H-1B visas that will make it easier for American companies to hire foreign workers with special skills and facilitate a smoother transition from F-1 student visas to H-1B visas, a move that is likely to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals. The rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security on …

US announces H-1B visa overhaul: 4 key points for applicants here
5 days, 18 hours ago

US announces H-1B visa overhaul: 4 key points for applicants here

India Today  

The Department of Homeland Security has announced a final rule to modernise the H-1B visa programme, enabling US companies to fill job vacancies in critical fields more effectively. The H-1B visa update would also benefit Indian students on F-1 visas in the US as the new rules seek to help them transition to jobs. Effective date - The new rules …

US announces H-1B visa overhaul to fill jobs faster; Indians likely to benefit most
5 days, 18 hours ago

US announces H-1B visa overhaul to fill jobs faster; Indians likely to benefit most

India Today  

In what would cheer hundreds of thousands of Indians, the Department of Homeland Security has announced a final rule to modernise the H-1B visa programme, enabling US companies to fill critical job vacancies more effectively. The new rule also permits quicker processing for individuals previously approved for an H-1B visa and extends eligibility to beneficiaries with a controlling interest in …

Major overhaul being planned for H-1B visa programme: What we know so far
1 week, 1 day ago

Major overhaul being planned for H-1B visa programme: What we know so far

Hindustan Times  

A comprehensive regulatory overhaul of the United States' H-1B visa programme is currently being reviewed by the White House Office of Information of Regulatory Affairs, as per a report in Bloomberg Law. Last year, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued draft regulations to adjust the eligibility criteria, including degree requirements, for the specialty occupation visas used primarily by the …

H-1B visa denial rate drops, but curbs could return under Trump: Report
1 week, 2 days ago

H-1B visa denial rate drops, but curbs could return under Trump: Report

India Today  

The H-1B visa programme, much sought after by high-skilled foreign professionals seeking work in the United States, has seen a notable decline in denial rates for initial employment in recent years. In the fiscal year 2024, the denial rate for H-1B visa petitions for initial employment remained relatively low at 2.5%, down from 3.5% in FY 2023. During his first …

H-1B visa cap for FY2025 for regular and master's degree reached, says USCIS
2 weeks, 5 days ago

H-1B visa cap for FY2025 for regular and master's degree reached, says USCIS

India Today  

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that it has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated H-1B visa cap for regular and master's degrees for the fiscal year 2025. In all, 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and 20,000 H-1B visa US advanced degree exemption are to be issued. However, top US companies like Google, Amazon, Infosys, and …

MEA addresses H-1B Visa concerns as Donald Trump returns to White House with his immigration policies
1 month, 2 weeks ago

MEA addresses H-1B Visa concerns as Donald Trump returns to White House with his immigration policies

Live Mint  

India expressed its commitment to enhancing dialogue with the United States on H-1B Visa policies and related issues, emphasizing the importance of mobility and migration as part of their bilateral relationship. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasizing India’s interest in maintaining robust dialogue on these issues with the U.S., said, "We would like to have a good dialogue …

Here are 5 ways Trump's return as US president is expected to affect H-1B visa rules
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Here are 5 ways Trump's return as US president is expected to affect H-1B visa rules

Firstpost  

From stricter eligibility criteria to increased wage requirements and other legislative changes, here’s a look at how Trump 2.0 could affect H-1B visa rules as well as the Indian IT industry Donald Trump's return to power is likely to affect rules around H-1B visa approvals in the US. During his first term, from 2016-2020, Trump introduced policies aimed at tightening …

USCIS wraps up H1B visa lottery for FY 2025, notifications rolling out tomorrow
8 months, 3 weeks ago

USCIS wraps up H1B visa lottery for FY 2025, notifications rolling out tomorrow

Hindustan Times  

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is done with the lottery to select beneficiaries for H1B visas, including the master’s cap for advanced degree holders. On Thursday, USCIS announced on X : “Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B cap petitioners: random selections have been made and notifications are being sent to myUSCIS accounts beginning yesterday and continuing over the next few …

Immigration summit: US lawmakers call for resolving H-1B issues
9 months, 1 week ago

Immigration summit: US lawmakers call for resolving H-1B issues

Hindustan Times  

Eminent lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties at an immigration summit have called for urgently addressing the green card backlog, an issue that is majorly impacting Indian professionals and the issues related to the H-1B visa. In the absence of such a move, the green card waiting period for Indian immigrants would be more than 20 years and …

Biden doing everything to improve the visa process and Green Card backlog: White House
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Biden doing everything to improve the visa process and Green Card backlog: White House

New Indian Express  

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden is doing everything he can to improve the process related to the sought-after H-1B visa, Green Card backlog and other issues related to the country's legal immigration system, the White House has said. "One of the steps, if we look at the H-1B visa process, we have taken action to improve that and the process …

US announces overhaul of its annual lottery for H-1B visas
10 months, 3 weeks ago

US announces overhaul of its annual lottery for H-1B visas

Hindustan Times  

Washington : The US has announced a major overhaul of its annual lottery for the H-1B speciality occupation visas, popular among Indian IT professionals, to curtail the potential for fraud and improve and streamline the registration system. The US has announced a major overhaul of its annual lottery for the H-1B speciality occupation visas, popular among Indian IT professionals, to …

US launches fresh 5-week selection criteria for H-1B visa
10 months, 3 weeks ago

US launches fresh 5-week selection criteria for H-1B visa

India Today  

The US has formally launched a pilot programme to renew the much sought-after H-1B foreign work visas domestically, a move that is likely to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals. In a statement on Monday, the State Department said the pilot programme will accept applications from January 29, 2024, through April 1, 2024, or when all application slots are filled, …

US visa and immigration updates for 2024: A guide to H-1B visa reforms expected in the new year
11 months, 2 weeks ago

US visa and immigration updates for 2024: A guide to H-1B visa reforms expected in the new year

Hindustan Times  

United States is working towards ushering in huge immigration reforms for the new year. Here are H-1B visa reforms expected in 2024 H-1B Lottery changes expected From March 2024 onwards the H-1B selection process is expected to be changed after the U.S. Each unique beneficiary would be entered in the selection process once, regardless of how many registrations were submitted …

H-1B visa pilot program to open for only Indians and Canadians from Jan 24: Key points to note
1 year ago

H-1B visa pilot program to open for only Indians and Canadians from Jan 24: Key points to note

Hindustan Times  

In a significant move for Indian H-1B visa holders, the U.S. Department has reinstated the domestic renewal of non-diplomatic nonimmigrant visas, a process discontinued since 2004. H-1B visa pilot program: Eligibility and application process dates The pilot has been limited only Indian and Canadian H-1B principal applicants and to those firms whose H-1B employees may need to travel abroad for …

Big update on H-1B visa reform: White House clears pilot programme
1 year ago

Big update on H-1B visa reform: White House clears pilot programme

Hindustan Times  

US state department's pilot programme that will allow 20,000 H-1B visa holders to renew their visa without leaving the country has cleared the review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affair. High wait times for visa services in countries like India, the largest source of H-1B workers, have added uncertainty to travel plans for those workers and …

US hits H1B visa limit for 2024, here's what's next for businesses and foreign workers
1 year ago

US hits H1B visa limit for 2024, here's what's next for businesses and foreign workers

Hindustan Times  

The United States has hit the annual cap for H-1B visas, as confirmed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, marking a crucial development in immigration. The USCIS stated that it has received a sufficient number of petitions to meet both the regular cap of 65,000 and the US advanced degree exemption, commonly known as the master’s cap, set at …

U. S new visa rule could boost local hiring, warns Nasscom
1 year, 1 month ago

U. S new visa rule could boost local hiring, warns Nasscom

The Hindu  

However, Nasscom welcomed ‘the Biden Administration’s recognition of the substantial gap in supply and demand for skilled workers’ The United States’ new proposed Rule to “modernise H1-B requirements” could align with new visa norms to boost STEM hiring within the country, warned Indian tech industry’s apex body Nasscom on Thursday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed “Rule Modernizing H-1B …

US Proposes H-1B Program Changes Focusing on Streamlining Eligibility, Enhancing Efficiency
1 year, 2 months ago

US Proposes H-1B Program Changes Focusing on Streamlining Eligibility, Enhancing Efficiency

News 18  

The Biden administration is proposing changes in the H-1B foreign workers programme to improve efficiency by streamlining eligibility, providing more flexibility to F-1 students, entrepreneurs and those working for non-profit bodies and ensuring better conditions for other non-immigrant workers. Making the proposed rules public for stakeholders to give their comments and feedback, the Department of Homeland Security said the proposed …

US plans major H1B visa overhaul, says 'will increase chances of selection'
1 year, 2 months ago

US plans major H1B visa overhaul, says 'will increase chances of selection'

India Today  

The Biden administration is proposing changes in the H-1B foreign workers programme to improve efficiency by streamlining eligibility, providing more flexibility to F-1 students, entrepreneurs and those working for non-profit bodies and ensuring better condition for other non-immigrant workers. Observing that the H-1B non-immigrant visa programme allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in speciality occupations, defined by statute …

White House aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy vows to end H-1B visa programme
1 year, 3 months ago

White House aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy vows to end H-1B visa programme

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: Describing the H-1B visa programme as a form of "indentured servitude", Indian-American Republican presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy has vowed to gut the lottery-based system and replace it with meritocratic admission if he wins the race to the White House in 2024. The H-1B visa, much sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to …

Indian-American GOP Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Aims to End H-1B Visa, Labels it 'Servitude'
1 year, 3 months ago

Indian-American GOP Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Aims to End H-1B Visa, Labels it 'Servitude'

News 18  

Calling the H-1B visa programme “indentured servitude”, Indian-American Republican presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy has vowed to gut the lottery-based system and replace it with meritocratic admission if he wins the race to the White House in 2024. From 2018 through 2023, US Citizenship and Immigration Services approved 29 applications for Ramaswamy’s former company, Roivant Sciences, to hire employees under H-1B …

Vivek Ramaswamy wants to end H-1B visa programme, calls it 'indentured servitude'
1 year, 3 months ago

Vivek Ramaswamy wants to end H-1B visa programme, calls it 'indentured servitude'

The Hindu  

Calling the H-1B visa programme "indentured servitude", Indian-American Republican presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy has vowed to “gut” the lottery-based system and replace it with meritocratic admission if he wins the race to the White House in 2024. “I have gone on to found multi-billion-dollar companies.” Ramaswamy’s stance on H-1B visas is reminiscent of the 2016 Trump campaign, when then-candidate Donald …

US plan of in-country renewable H-1B visas may allow quick travel of Indian IT professionals to client location
1 year, 5 months ago

US plan of in-country renewable H-1B visas may allow quick travel of Indian IT professionals to client location

Hindustan Times  

The US announcement to introduce in-country renewable of H-1B visas will help swift movement of Indian IT professionals and promote services exports, SEPC said on Wednesday. US plan of in-country renewable H-1B visas may allow quick travel of Indian IT professionals to client location Services Export Promotion Council said that the decision would allow easier on-site client engagement by domestic …

PM Modi says H1B visa can be renewed in US itself
1 year, 5 months ago

PM Modi says H1B visa can be renewed in US itself

Firstpost  

The United States authorities announced that they will introduce ‘in-country’ renewable H-1B visas as part of the people-to-people initiative to smoothen the process of H-1B visa renewal for several Indians who are working in the US on a H-1B visa. “The leaders welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of State that it would launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic …

PM Modi announces big changes in US visa rules for Indian professionals
1 year, 5 months ago

PM Modi announces big changes in US visa rules for Indian professionals

Live Mint  

Bringing good news for US visa aspirants, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday informed that two new American consulates will be opened in India - Bengaluru and Ahmedabad Also highlighting the major changes the US government in planning to introduce to ease work visa rules, PM Modi said that Indian immigrants will no longer be required to visit their home …

Easier work visas after Modi's US visit? Indians always had lion's share of H-1B
1 year, 5 months ago

Easier work visas after Modi's US visit? Indians always had lion's share of H-1B

India Today  

The Joe Biden administration in the US has made it easier for Indians to live and work in the country in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State visit. In 2013, the US approved around 2.86 lakh H-1B visas, of which more than 1.87 lakh went to Indians — a 65.3 per cent approval rate. Then, in FY 2020, …

US to ease H-1B visas for skilled Indian workers as Modi visits
1 year, 6 months ago

US to ease H-1B visas for skilled Indian workers as Modi visits

Deccan Chronicle  

WASHINGTON: The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter. The State Department could announce as soon as Thursday that a small number …

H1B visa rules change? US to ease norms during PM Modi's visit
1 year, 6 months ago

H1B visa rules change? US to ease norms during PM Modi's visit

Hindustan Times  

The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter. File photo of a US visa The State Department could announce as soon as …

US to Ease H-1B Visa Rules for Skilled Indian Workers as PM Modi Visits. Check Details
1 year, 6 months ago

US to Ease H-1B Visa Rules for Skilled Indian Workers as PM Modi Visits. Check Details

News 18  

At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on the state visit to the United States, the Joe Biden administration is expected to make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States. The US State Department is expected to announce that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be …

U.S. to ease visas for skilled Indian workers as PM Modi visits
1 year, 6 months ago

U.S. to ease visas for skilled Indian workers as PM Modi visits

The Hindu  

The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter. The State Department could announce as soon as Thursday that a small number of …

US to ease H-1B visa rules for skilled Indian workers | All you need to know
1 year, 6 months ago

US to ease H-1B visa rules for skilled Indian workers | All you need to know

India Today  

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, the Biden administration is preparing to facilitate the residence and employment of Indians in the country. Under the new regulations, a select group of Indian and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew their visas within the United States, eliminating the need to travel abroad. According …

Big US immigration update provides cheer for H-1B and L-1 visa holders amid cloud of uncertainty and job less
1 year, 6 months ago

Big US immigration update provides cheer for H-1B and L-1 visa holders amid cloud of uncertainty and job less

Hindustan Times  

There is a glimmer of hope for Indian immigrants living in United States amidst the cloud of uncertainty after recent layoffs across big tech firms. Citizenship and Immigration Services has rolled out a new policy, PA-2023-18, that unveils a new blueprint providing guidance on Employment Authorization Documents in the face of pressing circumstances. The policy will be particularly benefiting the …

Want to live the American Dream? Why the EB-5 visa is a better option than the H-1B
1 year, 7 months ago

Want to live the American Dream? Why the EB-5 visa is a better option than the H-1B

Firstpost  

The United States of America is seeing a wave of layoffs – every second day, reports emerge of people being let off from their jobs across various sectors and there seems to be no end to the firings. The EB-5 visa, the Immigrant Investor Program, was created by the US Congress in 1990 to stimulate the economy by attracting foreign …

US to process more than a million visas to Indians, says Biden administration official
1 year, 8 months ago

US to process more than a million visas to Indians, says Biden administration official

Firstpost  

Washington: The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu said that the country is currently working to issue more than a million visas to Indians this year, ensuring that the Biden administration is committed to processing all student visas for Indians who are due to attend school this year. Tech companies usually depend on such …

Bill to reform H-1B and L-1 visa programme introduced in US Senate
1 year, 8 months ago

Bill to reform H-1B and L-1 visa programme introduced in US Senate

Firstpost  

`Washington: A group of influential lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation in the US Senate to comprehensively overhaul the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes and usher in more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers. The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act will reduce fraud and abuse in the immigration system, provide protections for American workers and visa holders, and require …

US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Reform H-1B and L-1 Visa Programme
1 year, 8 months ago

US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Reform H-1B and L-1 Visa Programme

News 18  

A group of influential lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan legislation in the US Senate to comprehensively overhaul the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes and usher in more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers. The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act will reduce fraud and abuse in the immigration system, provide protections for American workers and visa holders, and require …

Bill to reform H-1B and L-1 visa programme introduced in US Senate
1 year, 8 months ago

Bill to reform H-1B and L-1 visa programme introduced in US Senate

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: A group of influential lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan legislation in the US Senate to comprehensively overhaul the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes and usher in more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers. The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act will reduce fraud and abuse in the immigration system, provide protections for American workers and visa holders, and …

Why US' proposal to extend grace period for H1-B visa holders is beneficial to Indians
1 year, 9 months ago

Why US' proposal to extend grace period for H1-B visa holders is beneficial to Indians

Firstpost  

A presidential advisory subcommittee has recommended that US government increase the grace period for H1-B workers who have lost their jobs from 60 days to 180 days so that the workers have enough time to find new jobs or other alternatives Washington: A presidential advisory sub-committee has recommended the federal government to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who …

Tech layoffs cause havoc for Indian workers in the United States
1 year, 10 months ago

Tech layoffs cause havoc for Indian workers in the United States

The Hindu  

Indian engineering manager Abheer was in the middle of a performance review cycle when he was suddenly laid off from his job at Google - victim of a wave of industry-wide cutbacks. The wave of tech layoffs in the United States at companies including Meta Platforms Inc., Google and Amazon are upending the lives of foreign workers like Abheer who …

How tech layoffs will affect the H-1B worker economy
1 year, 10 months ago

How tech layoffs will affect the H-1B worker economy

Hindustan Times  

The technology industry in the United States is shrinking. During the pandemic, while many sectors of the economy shrank, the tech industry went on a talent hunt that some analysts say might have resulted in as much as 20% excess workers. While economic headwinds are there, it is worth noting that in January, the same month the US tech industry …

US planning to resume 'domestic visa revalidation' to benefit H-1B visa holders
1 year, 10 months ago

US planning to resume 'domestic visa revalidation' to benefit H-1B visa holders

Firstpost  

The project, to be launched later this year, when fully implemented, would be a big relief to thousands of Indian tech professionals in the United States. Washington: The US is planning to resume “domestic visa revalidation” in certain categories on a pilot basis with the goal of scaling it up in the next few years. The H-1B visa is a …

Big relief for H-1B visa holders! US plans to resume 'domestic visa revalidation'
1 year, 10 months ago

Big relief for H-1B visa holders! US plans to resume 'domestic visa revalidation'

India TV News  

In a move that can benefit tens of thousands of foreign techies, the US is planning to resume the process of domestic visa revalidation, especially for those holding H-1B and L1 visas. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The State Department facilitated …

US visa relief to benefit thousands of H-1B, L1 tech workers
1 year, 10 months ago

US visa relief to benefit thousands of H-1B, L1 tech workers

India Today  

The United States is planning to resume domestic visa revalidation for specific categories on a pilot basis with the aim of expanding it in the coming years. Until 2004, non-immigrant visas such as the H-1B visa could be renewed or stamped within the US for certain categories. However, since then, foreign tech workers, particularly those holding H-1B visas, have had …

Left jobless, thousands of Indian IT workers scramble for options to stay in the U.S.
1 year, 11 months ago

Left jobless, thousands of Indian IT workers scramble for options to stay in the U.S.

The Hindu  

Thousands of Indian IT professionals in the U.S. who lost their jobs due to the series of recent lay-offs at companies such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon are now struggling to find new employment within the stipulated period under their work visas to stay in the country. A significantly large number of Indian IT professionals, who are on non-immigrant work …

After mass layoffs, thousands of Indian techies struggle to find new jobs in US
1 year, 11 months ago

After mass layoffs, thousands of Indian techies struggle to find new jobs in US

Hindustan Times  

Thousands of Indian IT professionals in the US, who have lost their jobs due to the series of recent layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon, are now struggling to find new employment within the stipulated period under their work visas following the termination of their employment to stay in the country. A significantly large number of Indian IT …

Thousands of Indian IT professionals look for options to stay in the US after massive lay-offs
1 year, 11 months ago

Thousands of Indian IT professionals look for options to stay in the US after massive lay-offs

India TV News  

Thousands of Indian IT professionals who were recently laid off from companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon are now struggling to stay afloat and find employement to remain in the US until the stipulated period under their work visas comes to an end. A significantly large number of Indian IT professionals, who are on non-immigrant work visas like H-1B are …

United States reaches 65,000 H-1B visa cap for 2023: USCIS
2 years, 3 months ago

United States reaches 65,000 H-1B visa cap for 2023: USCIS

The Hindu  

“The United States has received enough petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2023,” a federal agency has announced. As mandated by the U. S. Congress, the U. S. can issue a maximum of 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and another 20,000 H-1B visa U. S. advanced degree exemption categories every year. …

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