USA Immigration News

DHS Outlines Plans to Attract Skilled Immigrants to the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently announced its upcoming reform to make the visa process easier for highly-skilled immigrants who want to work in the U.S.

In line with President Obama's efforts to make the United States an attractive destination for immigrants who can help create more jobs and boost the economy, the DHS proposes potential measures, including creating a "Startup Visa," strengthening the H1B visa program and "stapling" green cards to the diplomas of certain foreign-born graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The Department also noted that the Obama Administration is working to make improvements on existing programs.

As part of that effort, the DHS plans to make the following changes:

• Expanding eligibility for the 17-month extension of optional practical training (OPT) for F-1 international students who hold a degree in STEM fields;
• Allowing additional part-time study for spouses of F-1 students, and expanding the number of Designated School Officials (DSOs) at schools certified by DHS to enroll international students;
• Providing work authorization for spouses of certain H-1B visa holders;
• Allowing outstanding professors and researchers to present more of their academic achievements in support of their visa applications;
• Changing the rules to treat H-1B1 visa and E-3 visa holders the same as other employment-based H-1B and L-1 visa holders, allowing them to continue working with their current employer for up to 240 days while they are waiting for their extensions of status; and
• Creating an "Entrepreneurs in Residence initiative" at the end of this February to create a forum, in which the federal government and key members from the entrepreneurial community, academia and federal government can discuss the best way to attract foreign entrepreneurial talent.

If you are interested in Visas to the USA, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the United States of America.