September 5th, 2024 at 05:05 am

How Recent Modifications to US Visa Requirements Affect Students and Skilled Workers

The United States is enforcing stricter immigration laws, which makes it more difficult for workers and students to explore opportunities there. The flow of international talent is being impacted by recent revisions to visa requirements, which include large fee increases and tighter guidelines.

For many years, competent professionals and overseas students have chosen to study and work in the United States. But recent changes to the country’s visa policies—such as higher application fees and altered guidelines—will undoubtedly affect anyone hoping to work or study there. This is a summary of the most recent adjustments and their implications.

H-1B Visa Fees See Major Increase

The cost of the H-1B visa has dramatically increased, making it necessary to hire foreign workers in specialized fields:

• Registration Fee: There has been a staggering 2150% increase in cost from $10 to $215 per applicant.
• The application charge for Paper Filings: A 70% increase in cost, the charge is now $780 instead of $460.
• Additional Fees: There may be additional expenses for applicants, such as:

1. Preventing and identifying fraud Fee
2. Asylum Program fee
3. Public Law 114-113’s mandatory fees
4. American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA)

Increased Fees for Green Card Applications

The cost of getting a green card has also increased. The filing fee for an I-130 petition has increased from $535 to $675 for paper applications and $625 for Internet submissions. The financial burden on applicants has been increased with the introduction of a new $600 Asylum Program Fee for specific non-immigrant and immigrant worker applications.

USCIS Wants to Boost Performance

The fee increases have been defended by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as being required to pay for operational expenses and update its systems. Important modifications impacting foreign students consist of:

Increased Standards for Student Visas

• To improve data accuracy and expedite the visa appointment process, applicants for F, M, and J visas must now supply exact passport details when scheduling appointments.
• Details about Passport: When making appointments, applicants for F, M, and J visas must now supply correct passport information.
• The purpose of this modification is to increase data accuracy and simplify the scheduling process.

Updates for the EAD Extension

Additionally, USCIS has loosened regulations on Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), allowing qualified applicants to extend the document’s validity period up to five years. The purpose of this modification is to give individuals who are having trouble finding work more stability and to lessen the frequency of renewals.

• Eligibility: The USCIS has loosened the requirements for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), enabling qualified candidates to have a maximum five-year validity period.
• Benefit: There will be fewer renewal applications and more stability as a result of this extension.

Empirical Education Choices for Global Learners

Numerous Practical Training (PT) programs in the United States provide job experience relevant to the topic of study for international students.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is separated into two categories: F-1 students may work part-time while enrolled in classes under Pre-Completion OPT, and they may work for up to 12 months following graduation under Post-Completion OPT.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Through full-time employment opportunities that are directly tied to academic programs, CPT helps students close the knowledge gap between classroom instruction and practical experience.

Practical Training (PT) for M-1 Students

After finishing their studies, students in M-1 vocational programs may participate in PT; the length of the program will determine how long the program lasts.

Updates to Practical Training Regulations

Minor modifications have been made to the regulations controlling students’ practical training as of late:

After April 1, 2024:

• STEM OPT Extension: There has been no change to the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
• Employer Requirements: Form I-983 must be used to record a documented training plan, although E-Verify is no longer necessary.
• Reporting Changes: There has been a reduction in the reporting interval from six months to a year.
• Allowance for Unemployment: The total amount of time that can be spent unemployed while STEM and OPT has been increased from 150 to 180 days.
• Price Adjustments: The application price for the STEM OPT extension (Form I-765) has been raised to $520 for paper files and $470 for internet submissions.

Final Thoughts

These modifications, which impact visa applicants in different categories and include higher costs and revised procedures, are a reflection of larger shifts in U.S. immigration policy. To properly navigate the new visa landscape and comprehend the significance of these revisions, skilled workers and international students should thoroughly analyze them.