Explained | Proposed changes to H-1B visa programme

The US on October 21 announced a list of proposed changes to the H-1B visa programme. The Biden administration said that these proposed changes in the foreign workers programme were aimed at improving efficiency by streamlining eligibility, providing more flexibility to F-1 students, entrepreneurs and those working for non-profit bodies and ensuring better conditions for other non-immigrant workers.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in ‘speciality occupations’ that require theoretical or technical expertise.