U.S. will Loosen Visa Restrictions, Opening the Door to Indian Skilled Workers

What’s going on:     

Under the Biden Administration, a new initiative is being proposed that would make it easier for Indian and other foreign workers on H-1B Visas to renew those visas in the U.S. without having to travel outside the country, according to Reuters. Indian citizens reportedly made up 73% of the nearly 442,000 H-1B workers in fiscal year ‘22.  

It’s estimated that the new program will help several Indian workers in the tech industry as some H-1B visa holders were among the thousands of professional tech workers that have been laid off this year, according to Reuters.  

The new development is expected to be discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Biden during Modi’s state visit. 

Why it matters:     

The ability to renew visas within the country will help address the backlog of visa applications at U.S. embassies in India and provide relief to skilled workers who have faced difficulties in obtaining and renewing their visas.  

This will also help fill the more than a reported 10 million job openings in the U.S. as of April, according to the Labor Department. 

How it’ll impact the future:       

By easing H1-B visa restrictions for skilled Indian workers, the U.S. can attract and retain top talent from India, which will likely contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the American economy and labor market. The move is also a sign of the strengthened relationship between India and the U.S and shows how the two countries would like to collaborate more in various industries, including the technology industry. 

Companies like Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta employ a significant number of H-1B workers, according to Reuters, and will likely have an easier time retaining talent. The program aims to benefit both U.S. companies seeking skilled foreign workers and Indian professionals looking for opportunities in the U.S.