What International Students Need to Know About the H-1B Visa Updates

2 minute read

"The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have been updating the H-1B Visa program to make it more accessible to international graduates and foreign workers alike. President Joe Biden let the ban on the H-1B Visa and a few other visa categories expire naturally in March 2021."

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: Oct 16, 2021

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have been updating the H-1B Visa program to make it more accessible to international graduates and foreign workers alike. President Joe Biden let the ban on the H-1B Visa and a few other visa categories expire naturally in March 2021.

The H-1B Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for highly skilled foreign workers in specific professions. This visa is also available to international graduates in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

What Updates Have Been Announced by the USCIS for the H-1B Visa?

The first and foremost update is that the USCIS is planning to conduct a second lottery for H-1B Visa applicants. The USCIS issues 85,000 H-1B visas every year, including an additional 20,000 visas for Masters' degree holders.

In 2020, the USCIS received over 267,000 applications, most of them from East Indian applicants. The first lottery held in June did not meet the quota mandated by the US Congress. The USCIS will conduct a second lottery for H-1B Visas to offer the remaining applicants a chance.

According to the USCIS, historical data related to approvals, denials, revocation, and other factors determined the number of H-1B Visas issued every year. Applicants may apply for the second lottery by filing a petition between August 2 to November 3, 2021.

Why Is the USCIS Updating the H-1B Visas?

International graduates from US educational institutions can work in the US for 3 years with an H-1B Visa. 40% of the applications for the H-1B Visa come from F-1 Visa holders, that is, international students. They may be Master’s degree holders from India or China, majorly employed in the Information and Technology sector.

Since the IT sector is experiencing a rise in demand for skilled tech professionals, the H-1B Visa approval rates have increased. In the last 2 draws, the H-1B Visa approval rate was 98.1% and 97%, reflecting that the US is ready to welcome more international students, especially those working in tech companies. The IT sector in the US expects to be worth over $5 trillion by the end of 2021, meaning that the industry will require fresh talent and skilled professionals. Under the Trump administration, the H-1B approval rate in 2018-19 was roughly 84%.