Kolkata: Rules for the coveted H-1B visa are being modified from April 1, the first day of the new financial year. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will set the new rules rolling from tomorrow. Therefore, if you think of applying for the H-1B visa, know the new rules which encompasses from cost to criteria of selection.
Form I-129 latest version
It has been decided that US Citizenship and Immigration Services will accept the latest version of Form I-129. This is a form that is used by US employers to hire foreign nationals in nonimmigrant or temporary worker category. It is used for visa types such as H-1B which is for specialised professionals, L-1 which is for intra-company transfer, O-1 for those with extraordinary ability etc.
If anyone makes the mistake of filing an old form, it will be summarily rejected. The new form seeks more detailed job-related information, qualifications of the candidate, field of study and role details for the job being applied for. Basically it signals a more intensive scrutiny of the candidate and the role for which he/she is being hired.
Lottery system changing
All along H-1B visas have been allotted via a lottery system which is by definition random. This is going to change. The new system will be based on the compensation being earned in which the candidates with higher pay, and higher skill levels, will be accorded priority. The focus, as is evident from this filter, is to attract individuals with more skills.
The word has also spread that the $1 lakh fee will be enforced when the employers are sponsoring workers from abroad. As is well-known the objective of this prohibitive fee is to promote candidates from within the country and discourage US employers to hire from abroad at the first opportunity.