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The US State Department has quietly implemented recommendations of a presidential commission which has suggested steps like opening up American diplomatic missions outside India for visa appointments to reduce the visa backlog in the country. India was one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted. Moved by a commission member, Ajay Jain Bhutoria from Silicon Valley, the presidential commission observed that inordinate visa appointment delays were causing huge problems for the students and visitors who have plans to come to study in the US and visit the country. The State Department should allow virtual interviews where applicable and allow staff from embassies around the world and the US consular staff to help conduct the virtual interviews at embassies with high backlogs and help clear them, the commission recommended. The recommendations included opening up American diplomatic missions outside India for visa appointments, having more counters and deploying additional resources to process visa applications. The <keyword id="50596" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-embassy" source="Orion">US Embassy</keyword> in India processed over 1 lakh applications just in January 2023, their highest total in a single month and the highest in any month since July 2019. In its December meeting, the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders recommended several steps to reduce the growing delay in visa appointment times in India and other countries like Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. It recommended the State Department hire new Full-Time officers/consular or Temporary Staff or contractors or bring back retired consular officers to clear the backlog at Embassies in Asia which have wait times of 400 or more days and shrink the wait time to 2-4 weeks be clearing the visa application backlog. The State Department could also use staff from other embassies around the world to help clear the backlog in countries in Asia which have huge backlogs and delays in visa appointments, it had recommended. The advisory committee noted that in 2012 President Barack Obama issued a memo to reduce the wait time from several months to a few days and this memo streamlined the visa process. The Trump administration had rescinded the President Obama memo, and this is also contributing as one of the factors in causing delays for Visa appointments, it said. As such, it recommended that President Joe Biden should consider issuing a memo to the State Department to shrink the visa appointment wait times to 2-4 weeks maximum for countries with significant backlogs including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries in a similar situation. There have been growing concerns in India over the long waiting period for first-time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories. The waiting period for first-time B1/B2 visa applicants in India was close to three years in October last year. In January, the State Department not only implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas but also launched several initiatives, including scheduling special interviews for first-time applicants and increasing the strength of consular staff. It also conducted "special Saturday interview days" on January 21. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-unleashes-ai-powered-updates-to-revamp-user-experience-on-maps-search-and-translate/articleshow/97761551.cms">Google unleashes AI-powered updates to revamp user experience on Maps, Search and Translate</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/now-find-ev-charging-stations-in-google-maps-near-you/articleshow/97759525.cms">Now find EV charging stations in Google Maps near you</a>

US State Department implements several recommendations of presidential commission to reduce visa backlog in India

As part of its revised selection process, the US has hiked by USD 10 the application fee of the H-1B work visa, the most sought-after among Indian IT professionals. The H-1B programme allows companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the application of a body of highly specialised knowledge and a bachelor's degree or higher in the specific specialty, or its equivalent. This non-refundable fee will support the new electronic registration system to make the H-1B cap selection process more efficient for both petitioners and the federal agency, said the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Thursday. "This effort will help implement a more efficient and effective H-1B cap selection process," said USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli." The electronic registration system is part of an agency-wide initiative to modernise our immigration system while deterring fraud, improving vetting procedures and strengthening program integrity," he said. Upon implementation of the electronic registration system, petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, will first have to electronically register with the USCIS during a designated registration period, unless the requirement is suspended, the USCIS said. The federal agency is slated to implement the registration process for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B cap selection process, pending completed testing of the system. It will announce the implementation time frame and initial registration period in the federal register once a formal decision has been made, and the USCIS will offer ample notice to the public in advance of implementing the registration requirement. The USCIS published a notice of proposed rulemaking highlighting a registration fee on September 4, 2019, which included a 30-day public comment period.The USCIS received only 22 comments during that time, and has considered all submissions and offered public responses ahead of announcing the final rule, which is effective on December 9.

US hikes H1-B visa application fee by another $10

<ul><li>Visa applicants seeking entry to the US will now have to submit their social media accounts, according to new visa norms. </li><li>The US State Department Policy is seeking access to their account information, photos, location and publicly shared data on their profiles. </li><li>The idea of tracking social media accounts was proposed last year, expected to affect 14.7 million people annually. </li><li>According to Rahul Reddy, an expert who specializes in business-related immigration, the policy will affect nearly 1.2 million Indians annually.</li></ul>Cracking down on the immigration further, the Trump government has introduced a new layer to the country’s visa rules. US visa applicants will now have to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/02/us/us-visa-application-social-media.html">submit their social media handles</a> they have used in the past five years. They will have to give access to their account information, photos, location and publicly shared data on their profiles. Moreover, applicants are also required to submit their previous email addresses and phone numbers. Talking of the tightened visa norms, the department <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48486672">reportedly</a> said that "We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve our screening processes to protect US citizens, while supporting legitimate travel to the United States.” The idea of tracking social media accounts was proposed last year, and was expected to affect <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/02/us/us-visa-application-social-media.html">14.7 million people</a> annually. While a similar policy has been in place for applicants who have been to the countries prone to terror activities, the recent move is new for applicants seeking visa for work-related opportunities and studying at American universities. In case anyone is found lying about their social media profiles, they may face "serious immigration consequences," BBC reported citing a government official. The move will likely affect Indian emigrants in large numbers. According to Rahul Reddy, a business-related immigration specialist, the policy will affect nearly <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-now-seeking-social-media-details-from-all-visa-applicants/article27405308.ece">1.2 million Indians</a> annually, The Hindu reported. The move has already faced criticism. The American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU) has said it finds the move “deeply problematic and ineffective.” See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/trump-may-have-an-ugly-surprise-for-h-1b-applicants-and-indian-it-companies/articleshow/67552613.cms">Trump may have an ugly surprise for H-1B visa applicants</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-immigration-denial-of-h1-b-visas-raises-legal-questions/articleshow/68844794.cms">US Immigration is denying more H1-B visas than ever before — without notice or authority</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indians-seeking-uk-visa-will-now-have-to-shell-out-a-lot-more/articleshow/67435527.cms">Indians seeking UK visa will now have to shell out a lot more</a>

US visa seekers will now have to submit their social media handles

<ul><li>The US government is mulling nearly 10%-15% cap on H1-B visas for selective nations — including India. </li><li>The move is targeted on nations that restrain from global data storage norms seeking foreign companies to store data locally. </li><li>Of the 85,000 H1-B visas that are granted every year, nearly 70% go to the Indians. </li><li>This has hit the IT sector employees the most with nearly 40% <keyword id="61274" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Visa">US visa</keyword> rejections. </li></ul>In bad news for Indians, the United States of America(USA) is reportedly considering nearly 10%-15% cap on H1-B visas for selective nations — including India. Amid the rising tensions over trade and tariffs, the government is considering the move on nations that restrain from global data storage norms seeking foreign companies to store data locally, according to a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-india-exclusive/exclusive-us-tells-india-it-is-mulling-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules-sources-idUSKCN1TK2LG">Reuters report</a>. The US government is considering the move on nations that restrain from global data storage norms seeking foreign companies to store data locally, according to a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-india-exclusive/exclusive-us-tells-india-it-is-mulling-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules-sources-idUSKCN1TK2LG">Reuters report</a>. The H1-B visas are issued to the skilled Indians planning to work in the US, every year. "The proposal is that any country that does data localisation, then it (H-1B visas) would be limited to about 15% of the quota. It's being discussed internally in the US government," Reuters reported citing sources. This comes just ahead of Mike Pompeo’s India visit. In a recent US-India Business Council event, he told that the US government will focus on consumer privacy, thereby allowing free flow of data across borders. The US, however, has not put a limit on visa grants to a specific country, TOI reported. Of the 85,000 H1-B visas that are granted every year, nearly<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/us-tells-india-it-is-mulling-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules/articleshow/69865212.cms"> 70% go to the Indians</a>. The Trump government has been aggressively cracking down on the immigration rules. Recently, it directed the visa applicants to share their <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-visa-seekers-will-now-have-to-submit-their-social-media-handles/articleshow/69632144.cms">social media handles</a> that they have used in the last five years. This will enable the government to have access to applicants’ email address, phone number and locations among others. This has hit the Indian IT sector employees the most with nearly 40% US visa rejections. According to the US think-tank <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tcs-and-infosys-face-most-rejections-on-h1-b-work-visa-extension/articleshow/68316202.cms">Centre for Immigration Studies</a>, top IT firms Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant and Infosys faced the most rejections in extension of <keyword id="7779297" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="H1-B-work-visas">H1-B work visas</keyword>. Given that, "The next phase will be that Indian IT firms will go acquire more companies in the US. And, those companies will have back-end engineering in India,” Mohandas Pai, the former CEO of Infosys and a startup investor <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-h-1b-visa-rejection-rate-may-trigger-tech-ma/articleshow/69721592.cms">told</a>. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-h-1b-visa-rejection-rate-may-trigger-tech-ma/articleshow/69721592.cms">Rise in US H-1B visa rejection may force Indian tech companies to look at M&amp;A</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-visa-seekers-will-now-have-to-submit-their-social-media-handles/articleshow/69632144.cms">US visa seekers will now have to submit their social media handles</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tcs-and-infosys-face-most-rejections-on-h1-b-work-visa-extension/articleshow/68316202.cms">New H1-B rules bring more rejections on work visa renewals</a>

Trump plans a 15% cap on H-1B visas — and Indians will be hurt the most

After US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword>’s rhetoric on <keyword id="931341" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="H1-B-visas">H1-B visas</keyword>, many Indians are confused and putting their Great American Dream to an end. Well, if you want to go to the US, H1-B visa is not the only one which can get you closer to your goal, other niche visas can also do the trick. For instance, the O-1B visa. The O-1B visa is a non-immigration visa and does not have a cap on the number of visas issued each year. It is also not facing Trump’s heat either. Other professionals who are not from the IT sector are opting for EB-1A visa. As per <keyword id="640473" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Department-of-Homeland-Security">US Department of Homeland Security</keyword>, allotment of O-1 visas (O-1A and O-1B) has grown significantly and people are slowly becoming aware of the niche visas. "For O-1A, it is important to demonstrate 'extraordinary ability', it is a high legal standard requiring evidence that the individual has risen to the top in his or her field. Awards (internationally recognised or those on national level), publications, recognition in the media, patents, trademarks, academic contributions all help substantiate it," David H Nachman, managing attorney, NPZ law group, told ET. "O-IB's requirement is 'distinction'--it is comparatively a less rigorous legal standard. It can be shown by recognition in media or among peers in the field. Both the O category visa applications call for at least 10 peer reference letters. Often, we ensure that half the letters are from India and the rest from other countries--this helps demonstrate international recognition," he says.

Move over H1-B visas, this niche US visa can get you closer to the American dream

<ul><li>Of the total 1.1 million international students, over 200,000 students in the US are from India, according to the latest Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. </li><li>This means that one in five international students studying in the higher education institutions in the United States is Indian. </li><li>However, the number of student visas granted in 2018 stood at 42,694 — which fell by 40% in the last four years. </li><li>Most of the Indians enrolled in Mathematics and Computer Science domain at 37%.</li></ul>One in five international students studying in the United States is Indian. This means, India sent maximum chunks of students for higher education to the US, coming next only to China. Of the total 1.1 million international students, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-sent-over-two-lakh-students-to-us-in-2018-19-second-largest-after-china-report/articleshow/72104784.cms">over 200,000 </a> are from India, according to the latest Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. The number increased by 3% as compared to that of 2017-18 academic session. This number has withstood the onslaught on student visas to Indians. In 2018 as many as 42,694 visas were extended — which fell by 40%, according to a US State department. As STEM education gains popularity, maximum Indians chose to study Mathematics and Computer Science. They constitute 37% of the total students studying in the US. It is closely followed by the ever-popular engineering course, at nearly 32%. “The opportunity for STEM students to work in the US for 36 months after graduation has resulted in a palpable increase in the numbers currently pursuing optional training programmes. There is a growing trend in US institutions to collaborate with current students and alumni to build recruitment pipelines,with India being a preferred destination. These could be some of the reasons for the increase in enrollment," Swetha Muthanna, Director, Yashna Trust-Education <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indian-students-in-us-crosses-2-lakh/articleshow/72112249.cms">told</a> the Times of India. Other popular courses among <keyword id="3828130" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="indians-in-the-us">Indians in the US</keyword> include business management, health and social sciences. While the undergraduate admissions increased by 6.3%, non-degree courses jumped by 18%. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/after-h1-b-visa-fee-hike-american-citizenship-costs-might-be-doubled-soon/articleshow/72069551.cms">After H1-B visa fee hike, American citizenship costs might be doubled soon</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/h-1b-visa-rejection-rates-rise-sharply-30-of-cognizant-capgemini-accenture-wipro-and-infosys-applications-denied/articleshow/71821596.cms">H-1B visa rejection rates rise sharply — 30% of Cognizant, Capgemini, Accenture, Wipro and Infosys applications denied</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/why-indias-millionaires-are-leaving-india/articleshow/69321959.cms">India’s millionaires are fleeing from homeland -- and these are the countries where they are headed</a>

One in five international students in the US is Indian — despite sharp fall in student visas

The US will conduct a rare second lottery for the H-1B visa to decide on the successful applicants, the USCIS has announced, a move which would provide another chance to hundreds of Indian IT professionals who could not make it in the first random selection. The US Citizenship and <keyword id="361298" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Immigration-Services">Immigration Services</keyword> (USCIS) said that a decision was taken after determining that the computerised draw of lots for H-1B visas conducted early this year did not give them enough number of Congressional mandated H-1B visas. The H-1B visa, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. "We recently determined that we needed to select additional registrations to reach the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 numerical allocations. On July 28, we selected previously submitted electronic registrations using a random selection process," the USCIS said in a statement. "The petition filing period based on registrations selected on July 28 will begin on August 2 and close on November 3. Individuals with selected registrations will have their myUSCIS accounts updated to include a selection notice, which includes details of when and where to file," it said. The move by the USCIS to conduct the second lottery will provide another chance to several applicants, including hundreds of Indian IT professionals, who could not make it in the first random selection. The federal agency said that only those petitioners with selected registrations for FY 2022 are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions. The initial filing period for those with selected registrations for FY 2022 was from April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. The USCIS said an H-1B cap-subject petition must be properly filed at the correct service center and within the filing period indicated on the relevant registration selection notice. Online filing is not available for H-1B petitions. Petitioners filing H-1B petitions must do so by paper and must include a printed copy of the applicable registration selection notice with the FY 2022 H-1B cap-subject petition. "Registration selection only indicates that petitioners are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions; it does not indicate that the petition will be approved. Petitioners filing H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, must still submit evidence and establish eligibility for petition approval based on existing statutory and regulatory requirements," the USCIS added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tech-mahindra-shares-price-jump-because-management-sees-a-10-plus-growth/articleshow/84882133.cms">Tech Mahindra shares surge as for the first time in over five years the management sees a 10% plus growth</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/cleartax-major-acquisitions-and-hiring-2021-funding-on-the-way/articleshow/84880048.cms">Clear(Tax) has planned major acquisitions and hiring for this year, in talks with investors to raise funds</a>

H-1B visa: Another golden chance for Indian professionals, as US preps to conduct a rare second lottery

Twenty one people were arrested for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=visa+fraud&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">visa fraud</a> in the US out of which 10 were <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=indian+americans&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Indian-Americans</a>. The US authorities had created a <keyword id="3312886" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="fake-university">fake university</keyword> as a part of a sting operation to expose the <keyword id="581841" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa-scam">visa scam</keyword>. 
 
The federal authorities arrested 21 people in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=new+york&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">New York</a>, New Jersey, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=washington&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Washington</a> and Virginia. 
 
According to reports, majority of students who received necessary visa and permits for US during the sting operation who reportedly paid huge sums of money were from India. 
 
"These defendants arranged to obtain visas by having individuals enroll in a fake university. Unfortunately for them, that fake university was run by undercover agents of the Department of Homeland Security," Paul J Fishman, US Attorney for New Jersey, told reporters. 
 
The arrested people were brokers, recruiters and employers who unlawfully and fraudulently obtained or attempted to obtain student visas and foreign worker visas for approximately 1,000 foreign nationals from 26 countries. 
 
Officials, however, did not give the number of Indian students who were trapped by this year-long sting operation done by immigration and law enforcement authorities. 
 
While the US Government did not reveal the nationality of the arrested people, names released by authorities indicate that 10 of them are either Indians or of Indian-origin. 
 
Those name include: Tajesh Kodali, Jyoti Patel, Shahjadi M Parvin, Narendra Singh Plaha, Sanjeev Sukhija, Harpreet Sachdeva, Avinash Shankar, Karthik Nimmala, Govardhan Dyavarashetty and Syed Qasim Abbas.

10 Indian-Americans arrested for visa fraud in US during a sting operation

Donald Trump's ugly surprise for H 1B visa applicants 

<ul><li>The United States’ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to loop in the citizens already in the US in its social media identification process. </li><li>It will include people applying for citizenship, green cards or H1-B visas along with the existing green card holders seeking re-entry into the country. </li><li>The proposal, which was laid out in the <keyword id="1966555" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Federal-Register">Federal Register</keyword> on 4 September, is out for public opinion for two months. </li><li>Previously, the US government said that the visa applicants will have to submit the social media handles that they have used in the past five years.</li></ul>The <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> government may add a new layer to its immigration rules for foreign citizens. The United States’ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to loop in the citizens already in the US as a part of its social media identification process. The proposal will require the citizens in the country to fill in several forms to obtain a green card or permanent residency in the US. The proposal will cover those applying for citizenship, green cards or H1-B visas along with those who are green card holders and are seeking re-entry into the country, TOI<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/green-card-or-us-citizenship-applicants-may-have-to-provide-social-media-identity/articleshow/71001746.cms"> reported </a>citing Rajiv Khanna, managing attorney at Immigration.com. In cases where social media handles are not provided in the form, applications will still be processed. But, they might get delayed. “It is yet to be seen how the forms will be designed to accommodate those who do not provide social media identification,” he added. The proposal, which was laid out in the Federal Register on 4 September, is out for public opinion for two months. It is likely to affect Indians opting for <keyword id="149761" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="us-citizenship">US citizenship</keyword>. In 2017, 50,000 Indians received US citizenship, while 60,000 successfully obtained green cards. Previously, the US government said that visa applicants will have to<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-visa-seekers-will-now-have-to-submit-their-social-media-handles/articleshow/69632144.cms"> submit social media handles</a> hey have used in the past five years. This is to give access to their account information, photos, location and publicly shared data on their profiles. It was for applicants seeking visa for work-related opportunities and studying at American universities. The Trump government, in fact, permitted the immigration officials to fabricate new accounts in order to access the social media profiles of those applying for green cards and citizenship, TOI <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/green-card-or-us-citizenship-applicants-may-have-to-provide-social-media-identity/articleshow/71001746.cms">noted</a>. The idea of tracking social media accounts was proposed last year. "We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve our screening processes to protect US citizens, while supporting legitimate travel to the United States,” the department earlier <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48486672">said</a>. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-human-resource-development-ministry-wants-to-link-students-social-media-accounts/articleshow/70138862.cms">The Indian government wants a handle on students' social media profiles —and that has sparked an outrage</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-visa-seekers-will-now-have-to-submit-their-social-media-handles/articleshow/69632144.cms">US visa seekers will now have to submit their social media handles</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-donald-trump-plans-a-15-cap-on-h-1b-visas-for-selective-nations-including-india/articleshow/69869965.cms">Trump plans a 15% cap on H-1B visas — and Indians will be hurt the most</a>

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US State Department implements several recommendations of presidential commission to reduce visa backlog in India

PTI

US hikes H1-B visa application fee by another $10

PTI

US visa seekers will now have to submit their social media handles

Prerna Sindwani

Trump plans a 15% cap on H-1B visas — and Indians will be hurt the most

Prerna Sindwani

Move over H1-B visas, this niche US visa can get you closer to the American dream

BI India Bureau

One in five international students in the US is Indian — despite sharp fall in student visas

Prerna Sindwani

H-1B visa: Another golden chance for Indian professionals, as US preps to conduct a rare second lottery

PTI

10 Indian-Americans arrested for visa fraud in US during a sting operation

BI India Bureau

Donald Trump's ugly surprise for H 1B visa applicants

Others

The US government wants to check social media handles before giving a green card

Prerna Sindwani

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