Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul><li>The US Labour Secretary said that they are proposing a <keyword id="7606333" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="H1-B-Visa-fee-hike">H1-B visa fee hike</keyword> to the Senate.</li><li>The current cost of H1-B visa can range from $1,600 to $7,000 after the last hike in December 2016.</li><li>H1-B visa fee increase will affect top IT companies like TCS, Infosys and Wipro.</li></ul>Within three years of <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/U.S.-hikes-H1B-L1-visa-fee-to-hit-Indian-IT-companies/article13997358.ece">doubling the H1-B visa </a>application fees, the US administration is considering yet another hike, which will affect the top IT companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, and Wipro in India. In a testimony to a Congressional Committee, US Labour Secretary Alexander Acosta said [hyperlink] that they are proposing a hike in this visa application fees, and the money obtained will be used to fund an apprentice programme to train the country’s youth in technology. Acosta however did not mention the extent of the hike, and has not mentioned the categories where this increased fee will be applicable. After the last hike made during the Barack Obama administration, the visa filing fee has varied between $1,600 and going up as high as $7,000, depending on the application. During the last change in December 2016, the government altered the fees for companies which have more than 50 employees or more than 50% of its staff working in the US. This made life tougher for tech majors from India. Indian IT companies form the biggest chunk of applicants for the non-immigrant H1-B visa that allows foreign workers to gain employment in the country, in occupations that require expertise. The higher revenue from the hike in H1-B visas will go into expanding the number of activities under the apprentice programme, Acosta told US Congressmen. For the current fiscal year, The Trump administration has budgeted $160 million to expand its apprentice programme. Any change in this regard will affect the already dwindling visa applications by Indian IT companies. In the last few years, the number of visa approvals has also gone <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/h-1b-extension-rejections-rob-indian-it-firms-of-visa-power/articleshow/68312136.cms">down by half</a>. Hire American policies Soon after <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> came into power, he signed the Buy American and Hire American Executive <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/legal-resources/buy-american-hire-american-putting-american-workers-first">order </a>which seeks to increase employment rates for its workers, and increase their wages. This is to be done by the way of rigorously enforcing and administering their immigration laws. The government has been following a three point agenda to aid their workers---via rulemaking, policies and making operational changes. Adding to the hurdles, the government has also disallowed these companies to move visa holders from one client to another, making life tougher for large outsourcing companies. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-immigration-denial-of-h1-b-visas-raises-legal-questions/articleshow/68844794.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">US Immigration is denying more H1-B visas than ever before — without notice or authority</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-uae-government-is-wooing-indian-teachers-offering-10-times-higher-pay-than-their-current/articleshow/69021762.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">The UAE government is wooing Indian teachers — offering 10 times higher pay than their current</a>

Now, Trump administration wants to hike H1-B visa fees to train Americans in technology

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>The US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword>'s administration proposed over 80% hike in the Citizenship application fee. </li><li>There are roughly 9 million immigrants, who are eligible to apply for <keyword id="149761" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="us-citizenship">US citizenship</keyword>. </li><li>The proposal is now out for public review until December 16.</li></ul>The fate of Indians in the US seems more uncertain than ever as the White House may increase the cost of availing the <keyword id="735672" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="American-citizenship">American citizenship</keyword>. The Trump's administration proposed over 80% hike in the Citizenship application fee, saying that the "current fees do not recover the full costs of providing adjudication and naturalization services," according to IANS. This comes after the US government hiked the application fee of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/us-hikes-h1-b-visa-application-fee-by-another-10/articleshow/71969900.cms">H1-B work visas by $10</a>. "This effort will help implement a more efficient and effective H1-B cap selection process,” said United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) acting Director <keyword id="1670295" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ken-Cuccinelli">Ken Cuccinelli</keyword>. There are roughly <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-admin-wants-raise-costs-become-u-s-citizen-83-n1082286">9 million immigrants</a>, who are eligible to apply for US citizenship. The proposed hikes would increase the application fee by $530 to $1,170. In addition to this, the cost incurred in obtaining legal permanent residency will also rise by 79% to $2,195, NBC News reported. The USCIS defended the move by saying that the DHS has set the application fees at less than estimated costs. However, given the rise in citizenship applications over the last few years, the DHS is considering a revision. The proposal is now out for public review until December 16, according to the <a href="https://partnershipfornewamericans.org/">National Partnership for New Americans</a> (NPNA). The proposed rule also outlines other kinds of fee increases too that can impact immigration-related applications by asylum-seekers, <keyword id="6131458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="temporary-protected-status">Temporary Protected Status</keyword> beneficiaries, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and legal permanent residents. The Trump administration is also planning to redirect USCIS funding of $207.6 million to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). See also: <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/india/news/us-hikes-h1-b-visa-application-fee-by-another-10/articleshow/71969900.cms">US hikes H1-B visa application fee by another $10</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/us-government-bans-at-at-least-7-it-companies-from-applying-for-h1b-visas/articleshow/72016278.cms">US government bans at at least 7 IT companies from applying for H1B visas</a>

After H1-B visa fee hike, American citizenship costs might be doubled soon

The United States has formally notified the increase in H1B and L1 visa fee. Now, applicants will have to shell out additional $4,000 for certain categories of H1B visas post December 18, 2015. 
 
The US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) said applicants of certain L-1A and L-1B will have to submit an additional amount of $4,500. 
 As per the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, signed into law by <keyword id="67474" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-President-Barack-Obama">US President Barack Obama</keyword> on December 18, 2015, additional fees has to be paid by petitioners who employ 50 or more employees in the US, with more than 50 per cent of those employees in H1B or L (including L-1A and L-1B) non-immigrant status. 
 
This will remain effective through September 30, 2025, USCIS said. 
 
In a statement, USCIS warned that it will begin rejecting H1B and L1 visa petitions received on or after February 11, 2016 that do not carry the information required under the new law. 
 
USCIS has also revised the necessary forms in this regard. 
 
During the 30-day period immediately following this web alert, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) to determine whether the additional fee applies to the petition.

H1B visa applicants will have to shell out additional fee of $4000 now

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The tech industry relies on skilled-work visas for foreign hires in a system critics say is broken.</li><li>Now the USCIS is proposing fee hikes for visa applications, at a time when it's already challenging.</li></ul>Strict rules around the system for H-1B visas — which the tech industry relies on to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-google-twitter-speak-out-against-trump-h1b-visa-freeze-2020-6">hire skilled foreign workers</a> to fill critical roles in fields like engineering and data science — already stymie the American tech industry's ability to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flawed-h1b-visa-system-layoffs-undermining-americas-tech-industry-2022-12">remain competitive on the global stage</a>, especially amid the recent wave of layoffs.Now, US Citizenship and Immigration Services plans to <a href="https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-01-03/biden-immigration-fees-h1b-asylum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hike the fees</a> that companies have to pay to sponsor those visas by as much as $600 an applicant. It would be the first such fee increase since 2016, but experts and industry insiders say that the timing couldn't be worse, likening the situation to pouring gasoline on a burning fire."We are already operating in an environment where there are very, very few jobs. We're already existing in an environment where jobs are at risk," Hiba Mona Anver, an immigration attorney at Erickson Immigration Group, said. "We are really hoping that things will start to get better, but this sort of increase in filing fees is only going to be another step in discouraging companies from sponsoring foreign talent."While the proposed fee hikes are presented as a solution to end backlogs and address bureaucratic headaches, experts say they would make it more difficult to hire foreign talent. That would especially affect smaller companies, universities, and startups, which would, in turn, undermine Silicon Valley's innovation pipeline.The proposal is in the middle of a 60-day comment period for people to officially weigh in on the idea. Immigration lawyers are encouraging their corporate clients to submit comments about how this would hurt their ability to hire people on these skilled-work visas. "Businesses are getting back to normal right now right after COVID, and really, I think this could impact the amount of workforce and potentially foreign employees that they want to hire," Cristina Perez, an immigration lawyer at the law firm Leech Tishman, said. "I think that's not a good thing. There's study after study that shows H-1B beneficiaries really are a benefit to this country."<h2>Why the USCIS wants to raise fees — and why experts are skeptical </h2>Experts aren't surprised that the USCIS wants to raise fees, especially since it's been so long since the last increase.Under President Donald Trump's administration, the USCIS attempted to dramatically raise fees for naturalization and looked to collect $50 from asylum seekers. The changes would have also ended many fee-waiver programs for low-income visa applicants. Those changes were blocked in federal court in 2020.The Biden administration is taking a different approach, with the USCIS now saying that it intends to use the $600 in additional fees for specialized visa programs like H-1B to keep the process free for those seeking asylum at the border.<h2>Critics say the fee hikes wouldn't solve any problems</h2>Critics say the planned fee increase would make life harder for visa seekers, without addressing any of the problems with the immigration process, including the massive backlog of visa applicants."Our system is definitely not working. It is not efficient. It is riddled with inconsistencies," Perez said. "Fix the problem first, then raise the fees."Some in the industry hope it starts a discussion about what it takes to retain global talent. Sunny Shuoyang Zhang, a founding partner at Born Global Ventures, said she hoped this could be used to educate employers about what it takes to keep global talent in the US, when they have the option to go places with friendlier immigration policies, like Canada. Manan Mehta of Unshackled Ventures, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/immigrant-founders-visas-venture-capital-startup-sponsorship-2022-12#unshackled-ventures-1">which helps immigrants found companies</a>, had a more-positive outlook. He said given that people on H-1B and other specialized visas often earned high salaries, the fee hikes for visa applications could just be factored into that overall cost.The timing of it all is what presents a challenge, given the state of the economy. Additionally, lawyers are skeptical that the USCIS would be able to turn things around and fix broken systems with the additional money it would be bringing in. "I just don't see how this breaks the vicious cycle that we're in right now," Anver of Erickson Immigration Group said. Are you an H-1B visa holder and have a story to share? Contact this reporter via email at <a href="mailto:pzaveri@businessinsider.com" rel=" nofollow">pzaveri@insider.com</a> or Signal at 925-364-4258. (PR pitches by email only, please.)

A proposed H-1B visa fee increase threatens to kneecap Silicon Valley's ability to hire the foreign talent it needs to compete

<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

It seems the US government’s imposition of additional fee of up to USD 4,500 for certain categories of H-1B visa for Indians is not going well with many at the <keyword id="6357722" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="silicon-valley">Silicon Valley</keyword>. 
 
Veritas CEO Bill Coleman called for dramatic expansion of the H-1B visa scheme -popular among Indian tech firms. 
 The H1B visa allows US employers to recruit foreign professionals in speciality occupations within the US. However, the <keyword id="396996" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-IT-industry">Indian IT industry</keyword> was affected after the US imposed an additional fee. 
 
Amid this, Coleman said there was a huge crunch of quality IT professionals. 
 
"The entire Silicon Valley believes that the H-1B visa policy needs to be dramatically expanded. We can't hire enough good people. They are just not available here. The salaries here are going through the roof, because everybody is competing to hire from everybody else," said Coleman, who is also a former chairman of Silicon Valley Leadership Group. 
 
Soon headed to India, where Veritas has about 1,700 people working for it with Pune being a major centre, Coleman said he plans to migrate some of his facilities to India from Florida. 
 
"That is a priority," he said. 
 
"In Silicon Valley you go to Apple, Facebook or Google, open their websites, you will find thousands of open jobs. One of the biggest problem here is that everybody is trying to hire from everybody else. As they can't find enough good candidates what they are doing is pushing the salaries through the moon," he said. 
 
Coleman said the number of H-1B visas should be based on market demand and the programme's expansion is one of the top priorities for the Silicon Valley. 
 
Coleman said India, now the fastest-growing emerging economies of the world, offers a "great" and "long term" opportunities for IT firms and he aims to make the best of it. 
 
"We are targeting growth in excess of 40 per cent in our sales in India," he said. 
 
Coleman said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has brought "a breadth of fresh air." 
 
"It is not that difficult to do business in India...the regulations have gotten better, but they are not up to the leading free market standards yet. Things are improving under Modi and we are happy about that," he said. 
 
(Image: Thinkstock)

Silicon Valley cannot do without Indians? At least Veritas CEO thinks so

<ul><li>US President Donald Trump’s wife first entered the country on an <keyword id="6358066" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="h-1b-visa">H-1B visa</keyword> — the same work visa that Trump wants to make ‘merit-based’ and has suspended till the end of 2020. </li><li>Even Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, sustained their stay in the US on H-1B visas. </li><li>Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella gave back his green card for an H-1B visa so that his wife could join him in the US without having to revoke her own visa. </li></ul>US President Donald Trump’s attempts to reform visa regulations and his most recent freeze on issuing new visas, including the coveted H-1B work visa, may come as a surprise when one learns that some of the most notable names in the US made their way to the country on H-1B visas — including his own wise Melania Trump. Many of global leading names from the US from their way to the ‘land of the free’ through H-1B visas — including Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi. Melania Trump’s H-1B story Melania Trump, sustained her stay in the US on a series of H1-B work visas. She apparently made her way to the US in August 1996 to pursue a career in modelling. Two months later, she obtained an H-1B visa that allowed her to work in the States for a year. After that, she was able to get five H-1B visas over the next five years, according to <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/06/16/melania-trumps-einstein-visa-and-chain-migration-detailed-in-new-book/">Mary Jordan</a>’s book ‘The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump’. It was only in 2001 that she received an ‘<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43256318">Einstein Visa</a>’ — also called the EB-1 visa — reserved for immigrants with ‘extraordinary ability’ and ‘sustained national and international acclaim’. This was after she started dating Donald Trump in 1998 and her lawyer has never published the details of her application. But without the initial line of H-1B visas, Melania would have never met Trump in the first place. Best of the best in the US have come in on H-1B visas Pichai is originally from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. He initially moved to the US on an F1 student visa after being accepted into Stanford University. Once he was employed with McKinsey &amp; Co. — just before joining Google — he was on an H-1B visa. He’s now a US citizen after being a green card holder for five years. Nadella too was born in Hyderabad before heading to the US to study electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin. Even though he was a green card holder in 1993 when he married his wife, he went to H-1B status to that she could come to the States and join him. Around the campus, he was known as “the guy who gave up his green card,” he writes in his book ‘<a href="https://www.firstpost.com/world/all-for-love-when-satya-nadella-surrendered-his-green-card-for-h1-b-visa-4083165.html">Hit Refresh</a>’. Like Pichai, Nooyi was also born in Tamil Nadu but in the capital city of Madras. After working and Johnson and Johnson India, she left for the US to study at Yale. In 1980, she went to work from the <a href="https://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2004-Ko-Pr/Nooyi-Indra.html">Boston Consulting Group on an H-1B visa.</a> Another fourteen years down the line, she joined PepsiCo as senior vice president of corporate strategy and development becoming president and CFO by 2001 — and CEO by 2006. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/googles-sundar-pichai-facebook-and-amazon-heres-how-american-companies-reacted-to-donald-trumps-h1-b-visa-freeze/articleshow/76522530.cms">Google’s Sundar Pichai, Facebook and Amazon — here’s how American companies reacted to Donald Trump’s H1-B visa freeze</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/donald-trumps-h-1b-visa-ban-incites-a-sharp-reaction-from-indian-tech-company-like-wipro-tcs-infosys-tech-mahindra/articleshow/76524525.cms">Donald Trump's H-1B visa ban incites a sharp reaction from India's tech lobby</a>

Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Indra Nooyi and even Melania Trump entered the US on the same H-1B visa that Donald Trump's suspending

<ul><li>H1-B denial rates for initial petitions have increased from 6% in 2015 to 32% within the first quarter of 2019. </li><li>Attorneys and employers believe it’s because the United States Citizenship and Immigation Services has increased the standard of proof the approval of H1-B visas.</li><li>Top companies, like Amazon, witnessed their denial rate skyrocket from 3% to over 30% for continuing H1-B petitions.</li></ul>Denial rates for H-1B petitions is at an all time high and attorneys believe its because the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/h-1b-data-hub">increased</a> the standard of proof for approval without the requisite legal authority. H1-B denial rates for initial petitions have increased four times between 2015 to 2018, from 6% to 24%. The denial rates have spiked further to 32% in the first quarter of 2019 . An analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) <a href="https://nfap.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/H-1B-Denial-Rates-Past-and-Present.NFAP-Policy-Brief.April-2019.pdf">states</a> that, in contrast, denial rates have never exceeded 8% in the years between 2010 and 2015. 
 
 
 <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype=""><cdata><![CDATA[
<div class="flourish-embed" data-src="visualisation/296909"></div>
]]></cdata></div>







 Even for people who already have H-1B visas, the denial rate for continuing petitions have trebled to 18% from a mere 3% in 2015. For eight years, between 2009 to 2017, the upper threshold for denial rates for such requests was 6%. 
 
 
 <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype=""><cdata><![CDATA[
<div class="flourish-embed" data-src="visualisation/296931"></div>
]]></cdata></div>







 The e-commerce giant, Amazon, saw a 17% denial rate on 228 H1-B petitions for continuing H1-B. In fact, almost every top employer on USCIS’ list saw an increase in their denials — in some cases, jumping from 2% to over 30%. Trump said that he wanted more ‘highly skilled’ immigrants to come to the US when he <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-executive-order-buy-american-hire-american/">issued</a> the ‘Buy American, Hire American’ executive order in 2017. Indian applicants, in particular, have a lot at stake. Over 75% of all H-1B visa applications <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indians-accounted-for-75-of-all-h1b-visas-in-the-us-in-the-last-two-years/articleshow/64079333.cms">between</a> 2016 and 2018 were from India. The April 2017 executive order <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/trump-may-have-an-ugly-surprise-for-h-1b-applicants-and-indian-it-companies/articleshow/67552613.cms">left</a> 65,000 people out of the general quota reducing the number of visas available to less-skilled workers usually employed by the Indian IT companies. But, in reality, lawyers have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/trump-said-he-wanted-more-highly-skilled-immigrants-to-come-to-the-us-but-skilled-educated-foreign-workers-are-leaving-the-us-dejected-saying-trump-doomed-their-american-dreams-leaving-businesses-in-the-lurch-/articleshow/68234469.cms">observed </a>an increase in the denial rate of H1-B visas for skilled applicants as well. Dejected candidates have reportedly been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/skilled-foreign-workers-are-giving-up-on-their-american-dreams-and-turning-to-canada/articleshow/68659342.cms">shifting</a> their aspirations to aim for a Canadian visa. The sudden and sharp increase in H1-B denials raises serious legal and policy questions <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2019/04/10/new-data-show-h-1b-denial-rates-reaching-highest-levels/#36bccee6797f">according</a> to Willam Stock, a founding member of Klasko Immigration Law Partners, who reviewed the data for Forbes. Stock explains, "One thing that is clear to me is that the data backs up what employers have been saying for the last two years: USCIS has raised the legal standard they use to decide whether enough evidence has been presented with petitions to approve them, without any legal authority to do so and without any notice to the public." The consequence of such high denial rates can have an impact on international students, expanding businesses, and applicants awaiting their green card approval. NFAP noted that only 20% of full-time computer science and electrical engineering students in US universities are actually citizens of the US. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/skilled-foreign-workers-are-giving-up-on-their-american-dreams-and-turning-to-canada/articleshow/68659342.cms">Skilled, foreign workers are giving up on their American dreams - and turning to Canada</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/Rejections-for-standard-work-visas-have-shot-up-under-the-Trump-administration-but-some-companies-have-avoided-the-trend/articleshow/68143712.cms?utm_source=ten_minutes_with&amp;utm_medium=Referral&amp;utm_campaign=Content_Patnership">Rejections for standard work-visas have shot up under the Trump administration, but some companies have avoided the trend</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indians-accounted-for-75-of-all-h1b-visas-in-the-us-in-the-last-two-years/articleshow/64079333.cms">Indians accounted for 75% of all H1B visas in the US in the last two years</a>

US Immigration is denying more H1-B visas than ever before — without notice or authority

<ul><li>The US approved more number of H1-B visas this year — both entry level and extension on work visas. </li><li>According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it extended over 389,000 visas in 2019 fiscal — higher than 335,000 visas approved last year. </li><li>However, the number of approved L1 visas — which are given to existing employees at technology firm to relocate to the United States — dropped to 71.9%, as compared to 77.8% last year. </li><li>In a recent update, the US embassy said that the visa applicants should apply at least three months before the start of their employment.</li></ul>In good news to Indians, the US approved more H1-B visas this year — both entry level and work visa extensions. According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it extended over 389,000 visas in 2019 fiscal — higher than 335,000 visas approved last year. In the last four years, as many as 100,000 more visas rolled out. This is despite Trump government tightening visa norms. In spite of stricter norms, the demand for work visas continues to be high. "It used to be that if the job requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree (or foreign equivalent) and the beneficiary (whose H-1B visa was being sponsored by the employer) possessed this qualification, the H-1B application was likely to be approved. Not anymore, as is reflected in the spate of requests for evidence (RFEs) and lower approvals post an RFE," Snehal Batra, Managing Attorney, NPZ Law Group<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/more-scrutiny-but-more-h-1b-visas-okd/articleshow/71572241.cms"> told </a>TOI. However, the number of approved L1 visas — which are given to existing employees at technology firm to relocate to the United States — dropped to 71.9%, as compared to 77.8% last year. Technology companies like Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have been most impacted by the new immigration rules. The renewal of work visas has also thrown up hurdles, has hurt Indian IT majors. According to an ET <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/decline-in-us-visa-approvals-continues/articleshow/71546846.cms">report</a>, the rejection rate for work visas has been increasing — with over 50% rejections during the first six months. While last year, TCS, Cognizant and Infosys faced the most <a href="https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/corporate/indian-it-firms-see-higher-h-1b-visa-extension-rejections-us-firms-get-more-visas/68310179">rejections </a>in extension of H1-B work visas, as per the Centre for Immigration Studies, a US-based think tank. H1-B work visas are initially provided for three years — but can be extended for a similar term later. The US embassy also said that applicants should apply at least three months before the start of their employment. <div type="twitter" handle="USAndIndia" handlename="U.S. Embassy India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/624159508307185664/CyuUQx2F_normal.jpg" favoritecount="36" retweetcount="8" status="Applying for your work #USvisa? You can apply up to 90 days before the employment start date noted on your I-797. #USVisas" createdat="1570684441000" id="1182162345121861632"></div>

 See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-us-government-wants-to-check-social-media-handles-before-giving-a-green-card/articleshow/71003314.cms">The US government wants to check social media handles before giving a green card</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indians-studying-in-the-uk-have-doubled-in-the-last-three-years/articleshow/70804829.cms">Indians studying in the UK have doubled in the last three years</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/usa-has-passed-a-bill-to-help-indian-it-professionals-get-permanent-residency/articleshow/70170952.cms">Indians can get permanent residency easily in the US, if the Senate clears the Bill</a>

Despite tighter norms, the US approves 389,000 H1-B visas this year

A federal judge has granted class certification in a lawsuit challenging the alleged pattern and practice of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services arbitrarily denying H-1B non-immigrant employment-based petitions for market research analyst positions filed by businesses in this country. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The lawsuit - filed in federal court in the Northern District of California by the American Immigration Council, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, along with law firms Van Der Hout LLP, Joseph &amp; Hall PC, and Kuck Baxter Immigration LLC - seeks to rein in the unlawful adjudication practice the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses in determining whether a market research analyst job qualifies as a "specialty occupation." The lawsuit also points to the agency's misinterpretation of the Occupational Outlook Handbook-a publication of the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics that profiles hundreds of occupations in the United States' job market, according to a statement. The H-1B visa category allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in "specialty occupations" that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in a specific specialty. US employers seeking highly educated foreign professionals submit their petitions to USCIS, it said on Thursday. "This ruling is an important victory as we can now ask the court to take action, in a single lawsuit, that will benefit hundreds of American businesses and the market research analysts they sought to employ," said Leslie K. Dellon, staff attorney (business immigration) at the American Immigration Council. Research shows that H-1B workers complement US workers, fill employment gaps in many occupations, and expand job opportunities for all, Dellon said. "While this victory opens an opportunity for the entire class, I want to recognise and celebrate the courage of the named plaintiffs, and now class representatives, for stepping forward on behalf of those similarly aggrieved," said Jesse Bless, director of federal litigation at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "We are hoping that a new administration brings more sensible business immigration policy to USCIS adjudications," said Jeff Joseph, senior partner and director of corporate immigration and employer compliance at Joseph &amp; Hall P C. "When you have to litigate about whether only one particular degree can lead to a variety of professional specialty occupations, you know that the government is just reaching for reasons to deny cases," Joseph said. "We are delighted that the court is holding USCIS accountable in how it adjudicates these H-1B visas. Hopefully, USCIS will learn the lesson the court is teaching it here-follow your own laws and regulations," said Charles H Kuck, managing partner at Kuck Baxter Immigration LLC. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/mumbais-massive-power-cut-last-month-may-have-been-the-work-of-hackers/articleshow/79318282.cms">Mumbai’s massive power cut last month may have been the work of hackers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/vodafone-idea-shares-jump-after-selling-stake-in-indus-towers-for-3760-crore/articleshow/79316662.cms">Vodafone Idea soars nearly 5% on fund infusion from Indus Towers stake sale</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/pubg-mobile-india-was-supposed-to-launch-today/articleshow/79315462.cms">PUBG Mobile India was rumoured to launch today — but there is no official update from the company</a>

H-1B visa lawsuit against US immigration authorities now covers market research analyst positions filed by US businesses

<ul><li>The US government is relaxing its restriction on the entry of <keyword id="6358066" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="h-1b-visa">H-1B visa</keyword> holders into the country but based on some terms and conditions. </li><li>Terms and conditions include resuming existing employment and proving that absence of the H-1B visa holder would result in a serious financial loss to the company. </li><li>The move comes just one day after tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft decided to support the lawsuit filed against the visa suspension by 174 Indian families. </li></ul>Indian H-1B visa holders will finally be able to return to the US with the country’s State Department relaxing the visa restrictions issued by US President Donald Trump last month. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="77120776" title="The H1-B visa ban is not what Indian IT firms want⁠— but they are pocketing some savings while it lasts" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The move comes just one day after tech giants in the US — including Facebook, Google, and Microsoft — decided to back the lawsuit filed on behalf of 174 Indian families against Trump’s proclamation. But, not everybody will make the cut. The State Department has added some terms and conditions that will determine the eligibility of an H1-B applicant’s necessity to return to the US. The problem with these requirements is that they do not appear in US laws and are completely arbitrary. Despite that, employers and employees alike consider the move an improvement over the status quo. India’s leading tech lobby NASSCOM remains ‘cautiously optimistic’. “NASSCOM welcomes this move and believes it will help US businesses access talent critical to the economic recovery phase in the post-COVID world,” it said in a statement. H-1B visa holders can only return to the US if they already have a job there To travel back to the US on an H-1B visa, one has to be resuming ongoing employment, be a technical specialist, a COVID-19 researcher, or a public healthcare worker in order to qualify for travel. Who can travel back to the US on an H-1B visa: <ol><li>Applicants seeking to resume ongoing employment </li><li>Technical specialists </li><li>Public health or healthcare professionals </li><li>COVID 19 researcher </li><li>“Other workers whose travel is necessary to facilitate the immediate and continued economic recovery of the United States.” </li><li>Dependents — spouses and children — will be allowed to travel with visa holders (End graphic) </li></ol>Assuming that the above criterion is met, there are still a few more hoops to jump through. How will the US State Department determine that you’re ‘unique’? Even if an H-1B applicant wants to return to their existing job, they have to prove themselves to be unique. The US State Department has listed five criteria, and at least two must be met for applicants to be considered. Terms and conditions for H1-B visa holders to return to the US: <ul><li>They cannot do their job remotely. </li><li>Income meaningfully exceeds the prevailing wage rate by at least 15% indicating that they can’t be replaced by an American worker. </li><li>Proposed job duties or position within the company indicates significant and unique contributions to an employer meeting a critical infrastructure need. </li><li>Education, training, and experience demonstrate unusual expertise </li><li>Denial of the visa will cause financial hardship to the U.S. employer. (End graphic) </li></ul>Critical infrastructure sectors include chemical, communications, emergency services, energy, financial services, transportation, and water systems, among other areas. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/sbi-icici-bank-axis-kotak-and-others-have-plans-to-raise-14-billion-but-if-things-go-haywire-they-could-need-three-times-more/articleshow/77506879.cms">SBI, ICICI Bank, Axis, Kotak and others have plans to raise $14 billion — but if things go haywire, they could need three times more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-speech-highlights-on-indias-new-tax/articleshow/77518678.cms">India’s ‘Transparent Taxation’ charter — Highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/what-is-new-taxpayer-charter-and-faceless-scrutiny-in-tax/articleshow/77518551.cms">India's new tax charter promises 'faceless' scrutiny — Here's what that means</a>

You Searched For "US hikes fee H1B visa" and got 13 results

Now, Trump administration wants to hike H1-B visa fees to train Americans in technology

BI India Bureau

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

PTI

After H1-B visa fee hike, American citizenship costs might be doubled soon

Prerna Sindwani

H1B visa applicants will have to shell out additional fee of $4000 now

BI India Bureau

A proposed H-1B visa fee increase threatens to kneecap Silicon Valley's ability to hire the foreign talent it needs to compete

Paayal Zaveri

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

Prerna Sindwani

Silicon Valley cannot do without Indians? At least Veritas CEO thinks so

BI India Bureau

Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Indra Nooyi and even Melania Trump entered the US on the same H-1B visa that Donald Trump's suspending

Prabhjote Gill

US Immigration is denying more H1-B visas than ever before — without notice or authority

Prabhjote Gill

Despite tighter norms, the US approves 389,000 H1-B visas this year

Prerna Sindwani

H-1B visa lawsuit against US immigration authorities now covers market research analyst positions filed by US businesses

PTI

US eases H-1B visa norms a day after tech giants back immigration lawsuit — NASSCOM ‘cautiously optimistic’

Prabhjote Gill

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

Others

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides