BackIndians to benefit as US announces 1.5-year extension of work permits
The extension period of up to 180 days will automatically be extended to up to 540 days from the expiration date stated on the current Employment Authorisation Cards
PremiumThe United States government has decided to extend the tenure of work permits by an additional 18 months for certain categories of immigrants, including those seeking green cards and spouses of H-1B visa holders.
According to the department of homeland security, the extension period of up to 180 days will automatically be extended to up to 540 days from the expiration date stated on the current Employment Authorisation Cards (EADs).
"As USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) works to address the pending EAD caseloads, the agency has determined that the current 180-day automatic extension for employment authorisation is currently insufficient," said USCIS director Ur M Jaddou.
"This temporary rule will provide those non-citizens, otherwise eligible for the automatic extension, an opportunity to maintain employment and provide critical support for their families, while avoiding further disruption for US employers," he added.
Non-citizens with a pending renewal application still covered under the 180-day automatic extension will be granted an additional extension of up to 360 days, for a total of up to 540 days past the expiration of the current EAD.
In addition to this, non-citizens with a pending renewal application and a valid EAD on 4 May 2022, or who timely file an EAD renewal application before 27 October 2023 will be granted an automatic extension of up to 540 days if their EAD expires before the renewal application is processed.
The policy is meant to address the unprecedented backlog of 1.5 million work permit applications at the nation's legal immigration agency, leaving tens of thousands unable to work legally and exacerbating labour shortages.
Further, it is expected to offer a reprieve to thousands of Indians working in the country and prevent further disruption for US employers.
"The change will immediately help about 87,000 immigrants whose work authorisation has lapsed or is set to in the next 30 days. Overall, the government estimates that as many as 4,20,000 immigrants renewing work permits will be protected from losing their ability to work for the duration of the policy," Indian-American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
The H-1B visa programme is the most sought-after work visa among foreign professionals, including Indians.
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