Desi spouses queue up for H-1B as work permits get scarce

[Gaali_Gottam_Govinda]

• These visa applications are for the fiscal year which commences from October 1 (referred to as FY 2019)
• Spouses of current H1-B visa holders are expected to queue up
• Spouses of H1-B visa holders are granted an H4 visa

The US immigration authorities will begin to accept applications for H-1B visas + (a popular skilled-work visa among Indians) from April 2. These visa applications are for the fiscal year which commences from October 1 (referred to as FY 2019). Spouses of current H-1B visa holders are expected to queue up. The reason is simple: with the Trump administration's decision to rescind granting of work permits to these spouses, an H-1B visa, even if challenging to obtain, seems a safer bet.

Snehal Batra, managing attorney, at NPZ Law Group says, "We have many H-4 visa holders applying for the 2019 H-1B cap hoping that they will get selected in the lottery. This gives them a fall-back position in the event the H-4 EAD is taken off line. If these individuals are able to file under the Master's cap then they are in better shape to get selected."

There is a cap for H-1B visas. Only 65,000 visas are allotted under the regular cap and an additional 20,000 visas under the Master's cap (for those having a degree from US universities).

"If eligible individuals are not selected under the Master's cap then they are counted towards the regular H-1B cap, thus effectively getting another chance," adds Batra.

The demand for H-1B is so high, that within the first few days, from the application date, the quota is met. For instance, for fiscal 2018, the US authorities received nearly two lakh applications. Thus historically over the past few years, it has resulted in allocation via a computer generated random selection process known as a lottery. This makes it a hit or a miss situation for the applicants.

Rajiv S Khanna, managing attorney, at Immigration.com says, "Finding a sponsor is usually not a challenge, if the H4-EAD holder already has a job. In such cases, the employers are generally willing to sponsor them for the H-1B. However, lottery remains an issue."

Not all H4-EAD holders currently hold a job, further not all those who hold a job are able to convince employers for a H-1B sponsorship. In fact, some are finding that they are the first to be retrenched as the employer is uncertain of what the future policy will hold.

 

The number of H-4 visas allocated to family members of those holding an H visa (which includes H-1B) increased by 190% over a decade. From 47,206 in 1997 to 1.36 lakh in 2017. Indians were allotted the maximum of such visas. Compared to this, the number of EADs issued are miniscule. In fact, not all those who have an EAD work, some seek it as it enables them to obtain a social security number and open a bank account (see table).

[Neutral]

uscis vaadi paisaley paisal 

[AndhraneedSCS]

Final ga H4-EAD povali ane OPT gallaki, H4 nunchi competition vastundi for lottery chances (if OPT students are not picked in Masters CAP lottery )

[Android_Halwa]

13 minutes ago, AndhraneedSCS said:

Final ga H4-EAD povali ane OPT gallaki, H4 nunchi competition vastundi for lottery chances (if OPT students are not picked in Masters CAP lottery )

antha ledu....only a fraction of h4 ead's will apply for h1b....issues with h1b maintenance,taxes,relocations,amendments make h1b not so attractive visa

easy to say but when you single out the options, you will know the ground realities.

[TechAdvice]

13 minutes ago, Android_Halwa said:

antha ledu....only a fraction of h4 ead's will apply for h1b....issues with h1b maintenance,taxes,relocations,amendments make h1b not so attractive visa

easy to say but when you single out the options, you will know the ground realities.

True But they will apply and won’t  use it until n unless necessary 

[nandananditha]

25 minutes ago, Android_Halwa said:

antha ledu....only a fraction of h4 ead's will apply for h1b....issues with h1b maintenance,taxes,relocations,amendments make h1b not so attractive visa

easy to say but when you single out the options, you will know the ground realities.

 

[AndhraneedSCS]

29 minutes ago, Android_Halwa said:

antha ledu....only a fraction of h4 ead's will apply for h1b....issues with h1b maintenance,taxes,relocations,amendments make h1b not so attractive visa

easy to say but when you single out the options, you will know the ground realities.

They can choose consular processing. Meaning, H-1B won't be active on October 1st (if picked and approved). it will be active when they go to Visa (anytime within 3 years of validity) 

[nandananditha]

4 minutes ago, AndhraneedSCS said:

They can choose consular processing. Meaning, H-1B won't be active on October 1st (if picked and approved). it will be active when they go to Visa (anytime within 3 years of validity) 

e point base aye ma team lo aunties andaru summer ki india going incase pick aithe next time travel chesthene stamping ki povala

 

[boeing747]

2 minutes ago, nandananditha said:

e point base aye ma team lo aunties andaru summer ki india going incase pick aithe next time travel chesthene stamping ki povala

 

aythe inka Hyd lo US consulate queues anni H4 to h1b vaunties lo nindipotunda?

[Aakupaccha_caradu]

[AndhraneedSCS]

6 minutes ago, nandananditha said:

e point base aye ma team lo aunties andaru summer ki india going incase pick aithe next time travel chesthene stamping ki povala

 

Yes, if they come after October 1st 

[AndhraneedSCS]

4 minutes ago, boeing747 said:

aythe inka Hyd lo US consulate queues anni H4 to h1b vaunties lo nindipotunda?

Don't think so. a max of 20,000 - 30,000 H4 EADs might be actually working. Out of them, may be 15,000-20,000 may apply for H-1B. Out of which, 5000 maybe picked and 2,000-3,000 approved. Which will be close to 5- 10% of regular H-1Bs  (about 85,000) 

[nandananditha]

4 minutes ago, AndhraneedSCS said:

Don't think so. a max of 20,000 - 30,000 H4 EADs might be actually working. Out of them, may be 15,000-20,000 may apply for H-1B. Out of which, 5000 maybe picked and 2,000-3,000 approved. Which will be close to 5- 10% of regular H-1Bs  (about 85,000) 

 

10 minutes ago, boeing747 said:

aythe inka Hyd lo US consulate queues anni H4 to h1b vaunties lo nindipotunda?

[Gaali_Gottam_Govinda]

12 minutes ago, AndhraneedSCS said:

Don't think so. a max of 20,000 - 30,000 H4 EADs might be actually working. Out of them, may be 15,000-20,000 may apply for H-1B. Out of which, 5000 maybe picked and 2,000-3,000 approved. Which will be close to 5- 10% of regular H-1Bs  (about 85,000) 

 

....... already H1B situation ila undi.......... ippudu malla ee h4 aunties aaa chi denemma brathuku

[boeing747]

11 minutes ago, Gaali_Gottam_Govinda said:

 

....... already H1B situation ila undi.......... ippudu malla ee h4 aunties aaa chi denemma brathuku

public wants that athi