Good news for people visiting the US on tourist or business visas since they can now apply for jobs and go for interviews to get selected for the roles.
So, what’s the catch? According to tweets by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), visitors should have their status changed before starting their new job in the US.
In case visitors fail to have their status changed or their petition is rejected, they should exit the country and return with an authorized work visa.
Another frequently asked question is if a person with a B-1 or B-2 status can look for a new job. According to USCIS, searching and interviewing for a job is allowed under B-1 or B-2 status.
However, USCIS has warned people with B-1 or B-2 status to avoid seeking employment in the domestic labour market or responding to calls like ‘local labour for hire.
What’s important to note here is that B-1 and B-2 visas are the most frequently issued visas for a variety of reasons. The B-1 visa is mainly for short-term business trips, and the B-2 visa is for tourists. Such visa holders are permitted to remain in the US for up to six months.
This decision from the USCIS comes after thousands of international skilled workers, including Indians, lost their jobs because of layoffs at top US companies, such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.
Now H-1B workers have 60 days to find new employment after getting laid off if they want to stay in the US. On the other hand, those who switched their status to tourist or student visas can stay in the US for a longer period to look for another job.
At the same time, USCIS has also announced the ending of COVID-19 emergency restrictions from 23 March. According to the Agency’s statement, a person has to respond to requests or notices from USCIS dated after 23 March within the deadline mentioned in the notice.
This includes;
- Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14)
- Notices of Intent to Rescind
- Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers
- Requests for Evidence
- Notices of Intent to Deny
- Notices of Intent to Revoke
- Notices of Intent to Withdraw Temporary Protected Status
- Motions to Reopen an N-400 Under 8 CFR 335.5 – Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.
Furthermore, applicants interested in filing Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA), or Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, have to comply with the deadlines mentioned in the form instructions.
We hope you found this information helpful. Follow our blogs for the latest updates and informative content on US immigration.
