Trump signs Order Suspending H-1B and H-4 Visas - Indians to get Affected? Details

Trump on Monday froze the process of issuing Green Cards for new immigrants and suspended a range of work visas for foreigners. H-1B and H-4 (H-1B spouses) are suspended for the current calendar year.

However, this suspension will not affect the population which is already in the US, on the visas. Further, the Optional Practical Training that the foreign students are eligible for post their graduation, will stand. Those on L1 visas (for intracompany transfers) and J1 visas (for doctors and researchers), are also suspended but they will purely depend on if or not they are working on the on-going pandemic.

Trump announced that the H-1B visa regime will be reformed to replace the lottery system into a merit based system. “This will drive up both wage level and skill level. It will also estimate competition with Americans for entry level jobs,” an official said. This temporary suspension is likely to open up 52,000 job positions for Americans.

Trump added that outsourcing of jobs should also be closed which will ensure that the jobs go to those who are paid the highest wages. This step will ensure that Americans get the best and brightest talent.