On 1st April, 2021, USA lifted the ban imposed on H1-B Visas.
Background
In June 2020, the former US President Trump signed an executive order extending the ban on immigrant and non-immigrant worker visas.
The executive order was first extended for 60 days till August 2020, which was extended till December, 2020 and then March 3st, 2021.
Reason for Ban
The ban was a response to rising unemployment in the United States, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Trump Administration had proposed to narrow the eligibility for H-1B visa aspirants and raise the minimum salary requirement in an effort to make it harder for foreign skilled workers to qualify for the visa program.
Impact
US: It would now result in the issuing of H-1B visas by American diplomatic missions overseas that would result in US companies bringing in talented technology professionals inside the country. It will mean the availability of a greater workforce for the IT companies.
India: Indian IT companies are among the biggest beneficiaries of the US H-1B visa regime, and have since 1990s cornered a lion’s share of the total number of visas issued each year.
H-1B VISA
Issued to work in a specialty occupation.
Requires a higher education degree of its equivalent.
Includes fashion models of distinguished merit and ability and government-to-government research and development, or co-production projects administered by the Department of Defence.
Duration of stay is three years, extendable to six years.
