For the year 2022, the Government of the United States has passed new bill H-1B workers and students, which will affect visa applicants who are applying.  The H1-B visa is critical to solving the US Talent Shortage which many analysis finds.

The US Department of Labor forecasts 1.4 million jobs will be open in computer specialist fields in the near future. “Based on current projections, American universities only produce enough skilled degree-holders to fill 29 percent of these positions,” the TechNet report says. Providing more H-1B visas could mitigate this problem. As it currently stands, around three-quarters of the 85,000 H-1B visas allotted each year go to computer science workers, according to The Associated Press.

The state department said, “it recognizes the many contributions of international visitors to our communities and campuses and the positive impact of temporary work visa holders on the US economy and is committed to facilitating nonimmigrant travel and reducing visa wait times.”

What is the H1-B Visa program?

The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa for temporary employment in the United States. It is commonly used by employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations on a temporary basis. The majority of H-1B visas are issued for 3 years, but they can be issued for as little as 1 year and can be extended in 6-year increments.

H-1B visas are subject to an annual cap, which has caused controversy over whether they were meant to protect American jobs or increase the competitiveness of U.S tech companies at the expense of American workers.

Two big developments in 2022 that will change the way we look at this visa program

• The Department of State on Thursday announced that consular officers are now temporarily authorized, through December 31, 2022, to waive in-person interviews for certain individual petition-based nonimmigrant work visas and their qualifying derivatives in the following categories: Persons in Specialty Occupations (H-1B visas), Trainee or Special Education Visitors (H-3 visas), Intracompany Transferees (L visas), Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement (O visas), Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers (P visas), and Participants in International Cultural Exchange Programmes (Q visas).
• From November 8, the US lifted all restrictions for fully vaccinated international travelers, including those from UAE, but they will have to show proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding a flight to the country.

How these two changes in policy will affect our present and future workforce

The H-1B visa program has been the most popular visa for foreign workers for many years now. It is considered one of the most important immigration programs for skilled workers in the U.S. In a nutshell, it allows for companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.

But lately, people have been asking questions about this visa program and looking into its flaws and benefits. While a significant number of people believe that H-1B is necessary to maintain the American workforce, others believe that it is corrupt and needs to be abolished.

Conclusion: “What it all means”

The H1-B visa is a non-immigrant work visa issued by the United States to allow U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields. How you can use our consulting services to protect and obtain the H1-b Visa as well as other immigration needs you may have, for all the great services you can essential visa services contact us today.