Are you among the many who wish to work in the US? Then you must be familiar with the US H-1B visa. According to the latest US immigration news, this visa will be facing some major changes. So, let’s find out what they are.
In this blog, we’ll go through:
- Changes to the H-1B cap lottery system
- How USCIS is handling multiple registrations and fraud
- How the proposed changes will empower H-1B visa workers
- What’s next for H-1B visa reform?
The US immigration landscape seems to be stepping into a transformative phase with proposed changes to the H-1B program. These changes are proposed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Revamping of the H-1B Visa Lottery System
To prevent the misuse of the system, the new change in the H-1B cap lottery system ensures that individuals whose registration is submitted are only entered into the selection process once.
This move will eliminate the perk of submitting multiple registrations for the same beneficiary.
Controlling the Surge in US H1B Visa Registration
The USCIS apparently saw a 60% increase in eligible registrations in the H-1B cap season, which started on October 1, 2023. This was a significant rise compared to last year.
This rise also confirms the concerns behind the potential misuse and manipulation of the H-1B visa program.
Handling Multiple Registration & Fraud
In 2019, the E-registration process inadvertently enabled foreign nationals to submit unlimited registrations through various employers.
This led to the rise of ‘H-1B consultancies’ and false employers, who exploited the system, resulting in multiple registrations without genuine job offers.
How Will The New System Empower H-1B Visa Workers?
According to an immigration law firm, the proposed changes to the H1B visa system are expected to empower workers, especially those with multiple job offers.
These reforms aim to give beneficiaries more autonomy in selecting their employer, ensuring a fair and transparent process and have been welcomed by many in the immigration sector.
What’s Next?
This proposal is ready to go through a 60-day public review after its publication in the Federal Register on October 23.
The reforms for H-1B are expected to be among the top to be finalized, especially when the USCIS is prioritizing on the anti-fraud measures for the H-1B cap. We can surely expect an unbiased application process for the US H-1B visa in the future.
We hope you found this information helpful. Follow our blogs for the latest updates and informative content on US immigration.
