Attention to all Indian immigrants residing in the United States! There is great news for you: the US government has introduced a groundbreaking policy that will positively impact thousands of Indian immigrants. Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will now be valid for an extended period of five years. This significant change means that you won’t have to go through the hassle of renewing your work permits as frequently as before, saving you valuable time, money, and stress.
New Policy Marks a Significant Win for Indian Immigrants
This new policy stands as a major victory for Indian immigrants, a prominent community among the diverse groups in the United States. The EAD holds immense importance for many Indian immigrants, enabling them to live and work in the US. With this new five-year validity period, Indian immigrants can enjoy enhanced stability and security in their lives.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services Prolongs Maximum Validity
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to five years for specific non-immigrant categories, including individuals seeking asylum, withholding of removal, adjustment of status under INA 245, and those facing suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal.
This extension means that these non-immigrants will no longer have to frequently renew their EADs, thus saving them time and financial resources. Additionally, USCIS aims to decrease the volume of new EAD renewal applications, leading to reduced processing times and backlogs.
President Joe Biden’s Stance on H-1B Visa Renewal
Recently, the Biden administration announced measures to simplify the process for Indians to reside and work in the United States, as reported by Reuters. The State Department may soon permit a select number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas to renew their visas within the US, eliminating the need for international travel.
Indian citizens constitute a significant portion of H-1B program users, making up 73% of the nearly 442,000 H-1B workers in fiscal year 2022.
“We all recognize the value of our people’s mobility. Our objective is to address this issue in a comprehensive manner. The State Department has been diligently exploring innovative solutions,” stated an official, as per Reuters.
Pilot Program for H-1B Visa Holders
A pilot program has been introduced for domestic visa stamping specifically for H-1B visa holders. It’s important to note that this program does not apply to H-1B workers who have been laid off. Laid-off H-1B workers have a 60-day window to either leave the US, secure new employment, or apply for a transfer to another visa category.
This pilot program exclusively caters to currently employed H-1B visa holders in the US. While it is a positive development for active H-1B visa holders, it does not address the challenges faced by those who have been laid off. Laid-off H-1B workers might encounter difficulties in finding new employment or transferring to alternative visas, potentially leading to deportation if they are unable to do so within the stipulated 60 days.
