H-1B Visa Application Woes Amid US Tech Layoffs
H-1B Visa Dilemmas During Tech Layoffs
The US tech industry is facing significant layoffs that are severely affecting Indian workers on H-1B visas. Stricter visa regulations and rising application fees further complicate their circumstances, while prolonged green card wait times add additional stress to their situation.
- According to Layoffs.fyi, over 438 tech companies have laid off about 137,500 employees.
- Indian workers on H-1B visas face stringent deadlines to secure new employment or risk deportation.
- The Congressional Research Service reports that Indian workers encounter decades-long backlogs for green cards, with some waiting over 190 years.
Recent changes in US visa policies exacerbate these challenges. The October 2024 visa bulletin has raised concerns across various visa categories, including the demanding EB-5 investor visa program. The application fees for H-1B visas have surged from $10 to $215 per beneficiary, marking a staggering 2150% increase, alongside a 70% jump in paper filing fees from $460 to $780.
- Green card applicants are also facing escalating costs, with the I-30 petition fee rising to $675 for paper submissions and $625 for online.
- A new $600 fee impacts specific asylum petitions, with increased scrutiny for international students seeking F, M, and J visas.
In this tightening immigration landscape, Indian workers are grappling with significant barriers in securing stable employment and residency in the US amid these layoffs, extended green card wait times, and soaring visa fees.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.