Good news for Indians working in USA – Donald Trump administration announces relaxations in some rules for H1B visas
In its advisory, the State Department said that H-1B and L-1 visas can now be issued for employees who are “seeking to resume ongoing employment in the United States in the same position with the same employer and visa classification.” The relaxations also includes dependents, or spouses and children of the H-1B, L-1, and certain categories of J1 visas. They would also be allowed to travel with the visa holders.
- The US government has provided relaxations to healthcare professionals and researchers linked to COVID19, cancer, and communicable disease research.
- Relaxations have given to those who have approval from the US Department of Defence or any American government agency. The individual must be performing research, providing IT support/services.
- US agencies will consider H1B visa applicant who is still serving in previously approved employment without change with the same employer.
- Individuals who are technical specialists, senior-level managers, and other workers who can contribute towards the immediate and continued recovery of the US economy.
- US H1B visa relaxations have been given to “critical infrastructure sectors” chemical, communications, dams, defence industrial base, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, transportation, and water systems.
- H1B applicants must get a salary that will exceed the prevailing wage rate by at least 15 per cent.
- H1B applicants with a doctorate or professional degree will be eligible for these relaxations.
President Donald Trump had signed a proclamation on June 22 banning the entry of certain non-immigrants with H-1B and L1 visas until the end of the year to protect the US labour market following record unemployment rates because of the Covid19 pandemic. US tech industry, including Facebook, Microsoft and Apple, had backed a lawsuit against the move.