US to relax visa processing for graduates with job offers

The United States has announced measures to expedite visa processing for college graduates with job offers. The move is seen as a positive signal for prospective international students.On July 15, the US Department of State provided updated guidance to consular officers on when to suggest granting waivers to specific applicants. These changes aim to streamline the process and expedite the issuance of work visas.

“The US needs to hire more international graduates. Our society is ageing, our birthrate is falling, and our own citizens are choosing not to pursue degrees in the STEM, healthcare and services fields,” IIE CEO Alan Goodman told The PIE News.

The nonimmigrant work visa, i.e the H1B visa, allows individuals to work in the US for three years through employer sponsorship, with extensions available for up to three years thereafter.

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For the fiscal year, approximately 7,81,000 initial H1B visa applications were filed, but only 24 per cent were chosen to proceed with the petition process.

“This new policy could be an important step for the US to attract skilled graduates by streamlining visa processes and providing clear guidelines for waivers to retain top talent and bolster our workforce,” Goodman added, reported The PIE News.“While the most recent changes will fast-track graduates with job offers to obtaining the visa, according to Goodman, a major problem with the visa is that it’s not being issued in large enough numbers.”