Washington: Amid concerns over the rise in cases of COVID-19, the US has announced that it will allow some H-1B workers and students, including H-1B visas, for the entire year in 2022. It will do away with the requirement of personal interview for category visa applicants. H-1B visa is issued for non-migrant workers. It allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
Technology companies rely on this category of visas to hire thousands of employees every year from countries like India and China. The State Department said Thursday that consular officials have been empowered to temporarily waive nonimmigrant work visas and personal interviews regarding eligibility for them until December 31, 2022. These include individuals in special occupations (H-1B visas), apprentices or special education visitors (H-3 visas), ‘intracompany transferees’ (L visas), individuals of exceptional ability or achievement (O visas), Players, performers and entertainers (P visas) and participants of international cultural exchange programs (Q visas) are included.
In addition, the External Affairs Minister has extended the existing authority of consular officers with regard to the termination of in-person interviews for certain other categories of non-immigrant visas by December 31, 2022, the press release said. These include temporary agricultural and non-farm workers (H-2 visas), students (F and M visas), and student exchange visitor (Academic J visas) categories. Embassies and consulates may still require personal interviews on a case-by-case basis and based on local circumstances.
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Applicants should also keep an eye on the embassy and consulate website for more detailed information on the current operating status and services, the release said. “It recognizes the significant contribution of international visitors to our communities and campuses, and the positive impact temporary work visa holders have on the US economy,” the State Department said. It is committed to facilitating non-resident travel and reducing visa wait times.”
The department’s visa decision making process has also been impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This temporary step has been taken as a commitment to reduce visa waiting times while maintaining national security. The US closed its international border due to the pandemic. Later, certain categories of visa holders were allowed to come. The US lifted travel restrictions on November 8 for international travelers who had taken all doses of the vaccine. So far 5,18,14,812 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in America and 8,15,423 people have died. Omicron format cases are also on the rise.