PM Modi in the United States: Biden Administration Facilitates Easier Residency and Work for Indians. The Biden administration is set to introduce measures aimed at enhancing opportunities for Indians to reside and work in the United States. According to reports, the State Department is preparing to announce a pilot program that will allow a select number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas to renew their visas without the need to travel abroad.
In its commitment to fostering the mobility of people, the State Department has been diligently exploring innovative approaches to effect meaningful changes. This initiative acknowledges the significant value of human mobility as an asset for the country. An anonymous US official stated, "We all recognize that the mobility of our people is a huge asset to us."
The State Department spokesperson refrained from providing specific details regarding the qualifying visa types and the exact launch timing of the pilot program. However, it was disclosed that the program would commence with a limited number of cases and is projected to expand gradually over the next few years.
While the specific measures are subject to change, the report indicated that the pilot program would encompass certain workers with L-1 visas. These visas are designed for individuals transferring within a company to a position in the United States.
H-1B Visa Overview: Under the existing framework, the US government allocates 65,000 H-1B visas for companies seeking skilled foreign workers, in addition to 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees. These visas are initially valid for three years, with the possibility of renewal for another three years.
Indians constitute the largest proportion of H-1B visa holders, accounting for 73 percent of the nearly 442,000 H-1B holders in the fiscal year of 2022. Prominent Indian companies such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, along with global giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta, utilize a substantial number of H-1B workers.
India had expressed concerns regarding the challenges faced by its citizens in obtaining visas to reside in the US. In response to the global pandemic, US visa services had suspended visa processing worldwide in March 2020, causing significant disruption.
The Biden administration's forthcoming pilot program demonstrates its commitment to facilitating the stay and employment of Indians in the United States. By streamlining visa renewal processes and acknowledging the importance of human mobility, this initiative aims to strengthen bilateral relations and harness the talents of skilled foreign workers.
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