Biden admin relaxes H-1B visa rules to hire foreign workers

The rule also extends certain flexibilities for students on F-1 visas seeking to change their status to H-1B

- PTI [e-mail] WASHINGTON

The outgoing Biden administration has relaxed rules for H-1B visas that will make it easier for American companies to hire foreign workers with special skills and facilitate a smoother transition from F-1 student visas to H-1B visas, a move that is likely to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals.

The most sought-after H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday, aims to provide greater flexibility to employers and workers by modernizing the definition and criteria for special positions, and non-profit and governmental research organizations that are exempt from the annual statutory limit on H-1B visas.

The changes will help US employers hire as per their business needs and remain competitive in the global marketplace, an official release said.

President-elect Donald Trump will take charge as the next president of the US after his swearing-in ceremony on 20 January.