New Delhi: There is good news for millions of Indians living in America. The US Citizenship Bill 2021 has been introduced in Parliament. Earlier restrictions on limiting the number of emigrants of a country for employment-based green card will be removed.
After the enactment of this law, Dependent of H-1B Visa holders will also be allowed to work. There are about 5 lakh Indians in America who do not have legal documents to live in America. Passing this bill will open the doors for citizenship as well as employment.
Currently, when the recipient of the H-1B visa is on track for a green card, or they have received a further extension of 6 years, the spouse (H-4 dependent visa holder) can apply for an employment authorization document. In return, the spouse must not only get a job or be self-employed, but the spouse must be able to open a social security number, driving license or a bank account for that matter.
Currently about one lakh Indian spouses (women at large) are estimated to have a work permit. Only recently, the Biden administration withdrew a proposed circular (previously issued under the Trump regime), which canceled the employment authorization program.
“The provisions of the bill, which authorizes employment for the husband of a non-immigrant temporary employee, are detailed by the US,” says Purivi Chothani, founder of an immigration law firm in Mumbai. The detailed rules will be followed later. .
“Currently, husbands of L-1 visa holders (on intra-company transfers) are allowed to work. It seems that the same would apply to the spouse of H-1B workers. They will be given a work permit. It is big news that Indians take a significant number of allotted H-1B visas every year. “
At this point, it is not known whether the spouse’s permission to work will be open to any area or to certain areas where the medical field is in dire need.
According to data in a report released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, 3.89 lakh H-1B visas (including extensions) issued during fiscal year 2019, were allocated to about 72 percent or 2.78 lakh Indian beneficiaries.
While opening up work opportunities for the H-1B Walkers’ spouse, will make America an attractive destination, it may also invite people from certain areas that it is hurting employment opportunities for locals.
(With inputs from agencies)