VISA2US Blog

In each immigration visa program, there is a maximum number of documents allowed annually. Generally, more people apply for visas than the capped amount, and those who don’t receive them must wait until the next year to reapply. However, since 1992, many employment-based green cards have remained unused, with H-1B visa holders finding other ways to obtain their permanent resident status. Now, a bipartisan bill could recapture those cards and exempt them from the per-country cap, opening up more H-1B applicants to achieve their career goals in the US.

The H-1B visa and Green Card program have existed for decades as a way to bring nonimmigrants and immigrants into the United States. The policies behind the programs have shifted as problems and gaps become visible. Still, overall, the goal is to help bring skilled workers into the US and benefit the economies, as well as the individuals. One of the policies under scrutiny currently is the per-country cap on green cards, which limits how many families are approved for a Green Card based on birthplace. Will this policy continue in 2023, or will new legislation revamp this factor?