H-1B Specialty Visa Process to be Updated

The application process might change in the future. The DHS has proposed a rule for the modernization of the main pathway to work in the United States as a skilled foreign worker.

In an official News Release dated October 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the H-1B specialty occupation worker program will be modernized by -

• Streamlining eligibility requirements,
• Improving program efficiency,
• Providing more benefits and flexibility for workers and employers, and
• Strengthening integrity measures.

An update of the regulations is being proposed in the H-1B program, the most sought-after route to work overseas in the US. The announcement of the proposed changes were made by the DHS through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Why the proposed changes in the H-1B specialty occupation route?

The US is developing and implementing regulations to increase the efficiency of the immigration system. Processes are being improved for both skilled foreign workers and US employers. The priority of the government remains to -

• Attract global talent,
• Reduce unnecessary burdens on employers, and
• Prevent fraud and misuse of the US immigration system.

A 60-day public comment period follows the publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that was recently published in the Federal Register.

What are the proposed changes in the H-1B program?

The main change will be in the registration process. The existing lottery system will change when applying for a H-1B visa.

H-1B Specialty Occupations | Proposed Changes 

What is the H-1B program?

H-1B visa allows US employers to hire foreign workers they require to meet their business requirements. Foreign workers are hired temporarily in specialty occupations that require highly specialized knowledge with a bachelor’s or above in that specialty or its equivalent.

Want to work overseas? Know more to plan better. Get in touch today.