Massive blow for Indian professionals as US halts automatic work permit renewals

The US Department of Homeland Security has taken the step to stop the automatic extension of Employment Authorisation Documents.

The move will hurt thousands of foreign employees including Indians.

The new rule aims for more "vetting and screening to protect public safety, national security".

Earlier during the Biden administration, an immigrant working in the US can stay in the country for 540 days even after the expiry of their work permit on certain conditions.

The government said the new rule aims to review migrant workers' background more often paving way to "deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent".

In September this year, the Trump administration increased the fee of H-1B visa to $100,000 (over 88 lakh) in a bid to welcome foreigners who are high-skilled and they do not eat away the jobs of the Americans.

As per the US Department of Labor website, the H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire non-immigrant aliens as workers in speciality occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.

The newly announced  annual fee on H-1B visas will only affect new applicants, giving relief to a large number of Indian professionals and their family members.

This move is likely to impact a large number of Indian tech workers, who constitute a major portion of the beneficiaries.