To strengthen the US economy and retain top talent, the Biden administration has introduced measures to fast-track employment-based non-immigrant visas for recent US college graduates who have secured job offers.
This initiative seeks to simplify immigration procedures and attract skilled workers to the United States.
By July 18, the Department of State will issue new guidelines for consular officers on recommending that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approve ineligibility waivers.
These waivers are crucial for accelerating the visa application process while ensuring rigorous screening and security measures.
During the recent election season, the administration announced plans to prioritize international students who have graduated from US colleges and have job offers, promising quicker visa issuance for those who meet the criteria.
Employment-based non-immigrant visas, such as the widely-used H-1B visa, allow foreign nationals to work in the US temporarily. The visa process usually starts with the employer filing a petition for the prospective worker.
Applicants who are initially denied visas are typically informed of the reasons by the consular officer. Some of these applicants may qualify for a waiver, offering them another chance to obtain their visa. The DHS and the US Customs and Border Protection’s Admissibility Review Office handle these waiver requests.
Before applying for an H-1B or other temporary worker visa, employers must first receive approval for a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Once this petition is approved, the prospective employee can proceed with their visa application, which includes completing the Online Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) and scheduling an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
In the fiscal year 2023, USCIS and the Department of State issued over 192,000 employment-based immigrant visas, ensuring that no visas went unused for the second consecutive year.
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