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H-1B application process to begin tomorrow; US to reject multiple filings for similar visa-seeker

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Apr 01, 2018, 06:07 PM IST
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Image for representation. Photograph:(Zee News Network)

The process of filing petitions for H-1B, considered as the most sought-after work visa among highly skilled Indian professionals, begins tomorrow amidst unprecedented scrutiny by the Trump Administration.

A strong indication is coming from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency which is responsible to process all H-1B visas, that there will be zero tolerance by it for even minor errors.

Chatter at various social media platforms and groups indicate that immigration attorneys this time expect a much high rate of rejection.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The H1-B visa has an annual numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the Congress. The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries with a US master's degree or higher are exempt from the cap.

Days ahead of the start of the H-1B visa application process for the fiscal year 2019, beginning October 1 this year USCIS warned that all duplicate applications would be subject to rejection. In previous years filing of duplicate petitions, by companies, so that applicants could have greater chance in getting through the lottery had become a normal practice.

USCIS has also said that it will reject H-1B petitions requesting an earlier employment start date or a start date of "As Soon As Possible" or "ASAP."

Moreover, the US immigration authorities have fired a salvo to deter misuse of the process. It seeks to block filing of multiple applications by ‘related entities’ for the same visa-seeker, for substantially the same job.

Multiple applications of such nature, which undermine the integrity of the lottery process, will be rejected and approvals revoked, said the US Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) in a recent policy memorandum.

From April 2 (Monday), the USCIS will open its doors to H-1B visa applications for the 2018- 2019 season. Successful applicants who are allotted the visa will be able to work in the US from October 1, 2018 during the tenure of the visa — which may be for an initial maximum period of three years.

If the applicant is seeking an extension of stay or change of status, he/she should include evidence to establish that the beneficiary will maintain a valid nonimmigrant status through the employment start date being requested, USCIS said in its filing tips. 

Given the general campaign against highly skilled Indian professionals, the applications by Indian companies are likely to face a greater scrutiny of all these petitions. As in the previous years, Indian companies would have to paymuch more fee per application than those from other countries. On an average they are required to pay USD 6,000 to the federal government per H-1B application. 

And by then time the successful applicant appear before the American diplomatic missions -- embassies and consulates - for a formal visa interview and stamping on their passport, they would have to be ready with details of the social media profile, emails and phone numbers in the last five years. 

On Friday, the State Department issued a formal notification in this regard which would come into force after 90 days. 

Even in the past, the USCIS has cracked down on errant companies. Given the high demand for H-1B visas, the number of applicants far outstrips the quota set by the US government. Only 65,000 visas are allotted annually under the regular cap (also known as general quota) and an additional 20,000 visas under the Master’s cap (for those having an advanced degree from US universities).

Ahead of the H-1B visa filing process, USCIS said this work visa should help US companies recruit highly-skilled foreign nationals when there is a shortage of qualified workers in the country. 

"Yet, too many American workers who are as qualified, willing, and deserving to work in these fields have been ignored or unfairly disadvantaged. Employers who abuse the H-1B visa program may negatively affect US workers, decreasing wages and opportunities as they import more foreign workers," it said. 

Protecting American workers by combating fraud in our employment-based immigration programs is a priority for USCIS, it said, adding that it is furthering its efforts by enhancing and increasing site visits, interviews, and investigations of petitioners who use the H-1B visa programme. 

"These efforts will help assist in the prosecution of program violators and ensure that American workers are not overlooked or replaced in the process," USCIS said. 

(With PTI inputs)