US Immigration News

It was announced on 13 June 2009 that a White House meeting on US immigration policy has been delayed yet again. No new date has been set for the meeting.

Due to the economic downturn there are still H-1B visas available for the FY 2010 quota. Many employers simply cannot afford to employ overseas workers. In addition those companies that accept funding from the "troubled asset relief funding" are prohibited from employing foreign workers. The H-1B Visa is one of the best temporary visa categories for bringing in professional level staff with at least a bachelor's degree. In many cases this is the only visa category available to employers to bring in professional level staff.

If passed, new legislation will mean that families members including same-sex partners will be able to gain faster entry to the US. This is part of the ongoing efforts at immigration reform in the US. Family based immigration would be given priority; Unused visas from previous years will increase the number of visas available.

The new Obama administration in the US proposed immigration policy which favours an increase in the number of legal immigrants may benefit Indians. Many of the legal immigrants in the US are Indians.

Those wishing to enter the US under the visa waiver scheme will from 12 January 2009 need to apply electronically for travel authorization. They will need to apply online under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Those wishing to enter the US under the visa waiver scheme will from 12 January 2009 need to apply electronically for travel authorization. They will need to apply under Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

President-Elect Obama is under increasing pressure to reform US immigration. Latinos voted for Barack Obama in big numbers in the US. They are now expecting Obama to keep his promise on immigration reform.