Why H-1B Visas and Green Cards Are Crucial in IT
STEM fields, particularly technology, are a vital part of the workforce in countries that want to be on the cutting edge of the future. While America does have some brilliant minds and an impressive education system, it would be a limiting belief to think that those talents are better than thousands of other countries and billions of other people.
H-1B visas and green cards are carrots that help US companies attract and keep the best of the best in STEM fields. But with the Trump Administration’s passing and enforcement of nearly strangling immigration laws and the worldwide staffing changes from the pandemic, the resulting substantial delays in processing these documents have caused many potential workers to seek employment elsewhere.
Hundreds of thousands of applicants are ready. Their documents are attested as complete, and they’re simply waiting on an interview and sign-off. But the number of applicants in the backlog is barely decreasing.
Moving Into 2023
March is still “early days” in 2023. However, there’s a new fiscal year with thousands of new applicants added to the processing pile. What does that do to the “Google” backlog of green card petitioners waiting for their transfer?
As of March 2023, the request for green cards has decreased, while the number of interviews scheduled spiked, with over 10,000 more scheduled this month. The decrease in requests could be due to the continued pause from employers willing to sponsor these documents while the tech industry issues fall into place. Once that happens, we expect the green card applications to return to normal.
What’s Next?
The window for FY2024’s H-1B petition submissions is over, and, as per usual, USCIS more than met the allotted number of requests. The random lottery selection allows for 85,000 approved H-1B visas; of those 85,000, a fraction will use the “dual-intent” feature of the visa to apply for permanent lawful status through the green card.
Wherever you currently stand on your search for skilled foreign labor or your goal of getting to the US, we at Visa2US are ready to help. Our experts in immigration law are available all day, every day, to answer your questions and guide you through this challenging process. Contact Visa2US today to move your career journey forward.
