h 1b visa

Amazon and Tesla are among the top beneficiaries of the H-1B visa program in 2025, securing thousands of approvals. These companies rely on skilled foreign workers for roles in engineering and research. Amazon leads with 9,265 approvals, followed by Cognizant and Google. Indian IT firms like Infosys and TCS also feature prominently among top H-1B visa recipients.

Moody’s has said that changes in US H-1B visa policy put major Indian IT firms at risk due to immigration policy shifts and rising costs. With Infosys, TCS, and Hexaware Technologies heavily relying on these visas, increasing operational costs could impact their profitability.

USCIS has opened the registration for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B visa cap from March 7 to March 24, 2025, with a $215 fee. Employers can register electronically, and selections will be randomized if enough registrations are received. Enhancements include improved account functionality.

The H-1B visa program is undergoing significant changes. Starting March 20, USCIS will implement a new electronic registration system, ensuring each candidate has an equal chance. The process aims to increase transparency and efficiency, with a higher registration fee reducing duplicate applications.

The registration for H-1B visas for fiscal year 2026 has opened, with applications to be submitted until March 22, 2025. USCIS will employ a lottery due to high demand, and selected applicants will start their complete petitions from April 1, 2025. Enhanced fraud detection and electronic filing are some of the new changes introduced.

The US government has intensified scrutiny on H-1B visa hiring practices, warning employers against prioritizing foreign workers over American candidates. This shift could significantly impact Indian professionals, who receive the majority of H-1B visas. Stricter regulations may limit job opportunities, push Indian talent to other countries, and affect India's IT sector, altering global migration trends.

Proposed wage mandates for H-1B visa holders, including a requirement to pay at least the median local wage, may hinder US companies from hiring skilled foreign workers, warns an NFAP study. These mandates could force employers to move jobs offshore, particularly affecting recent graduates in science and engineering, and could weaken the US workforce in key technology sectors.

Recent US H-1B visa policy changes cause concern among Indian IT professionals. However, a shortage of specialised technical skills in America and tech giants' focus on Indian talent may moderate the impact.

The family of Dr. Rasha Alawieh has alleged authorities wanted to deport her at all costs. She was detained at Boston's Logan airport as she returned after a fortnight-long family visit to Lebanon on Thursday.

With tighter US immigration policies, visa holders including H-1B workers, international students, and green card holders are advised to reconsider travel abroad due to increased scrutiny and delays at consulates. The new rules for visa interview waivers have shortened the renewal window to 12 months, leading to longer and more complicated visa renewal processes.

The H-1B visa category is highly restrictive, with only 20% of new registrations leading to approvals due to the annual cap. This is despite significant demand and strict regulatory requirements. High rejection rates drive talent and investment abroad, contradicting claims that these visas suppress American wages.

Immigration attorneys are advising work visa holders, including H-1B professionals, to avoid traveling outside the US due to increased delays and heightened immigration scrutiny. Recent changes in visa renewal processes, secondary inspections, and extreme vetting procedures have caused significant disruptions. H-1B holders could face months of delays if their visas are sent back for re-adjudication. Experts suggest contingency plans, such as working remotely, to mitigate career setbacks while waiting for visa approval.

The White House trolled recently deported Dr. Rasha Alawieh on social media. Despite holding a valid visa and a court order blocking her deportation, she was returned to Paris while re-entering the US, alleging her ties to Hamas. This incident has raised concerns about US Customs and Border Protection's actions and judicial authority.

Dr Alawieh was returning from Lebanon when she was stopped by federal agents. It's not yet known whether they had any prior information about her. On being asked whether she supports Hezbollah and Ayatollah, she said, "I think if you listen to one of his sermons, you would know what I mean."

Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a kidney transplant specialist from Brown University, was deported from the US despite having a valid visa and a court order blocking her expulsion. The deportation occurred after US authorities found photos and videos of Hezbollah leaders on her phone, raising security concerns.

Immigration attorneys in the US are advising H-1B and F-1 visa holders, as well as green card holders, to avoid international travel due to delays and increased scrutiny at consulates. Concerns include visa stamping delays, extreme vetting, and secondary inspections, which could result in extended stays outside the US.

Avoid travel outside US, immigration attorneys tell H-1B, F-1 visa holders

According to data from March 2023, nearly 1.34 lakh Indian children of H-1B visa holders were expected to 'age out' of their dependent visa status before their families obtained green cards

Infosys is hiring experienced professionals across 40+ skill sets, including cloud computing and cyber security, requiring at least two years' experience in related fields.

A new generation of immigrant billionaires, many of whom entered the US through the H-1B visa program, are driving innovation and reshaping industries. From Rajiv Jain’s rise in finance to Jayshree Ullal’s success in tech, these individuals have contributed immensely to the US economy. Their journeys highlight the essential role of H-1B visas in attracting global talent and fostering entrepreneurship, ultimately benefiting the US tech and business landscape.

Brown University has issued a travel warning to international students, staff, and faculty following the deportation of assistant professor Rasha Alawieh to Lebanon. The advisory urges individuals to reconsider foreign travel due to uncertainties in US immigration policies. Alawieh, detained after returning from Lebanon, was deported despite a court order allowing her stay. This follows a pattern of heightened scrutiny under the Trump administration, raising concerns about international community members' travel safety.

USCIS has proposed a rule to collect social media identifiers from applicants seeking immigration benefits, such as citizenship, green cards, and asylum. This aims to enhance national security and vetting procedures. Forms like the I-485 for green card adjustments are affected, while H-1B entry forms are not. Public comments are invited within 60 days.

Alawieh has been in the US since 2018 when she came on a student visa. As Alawieh arrived at the Boston airport Thursday, she was denied entry as CBP officers started questioning her, searching her phone. Alawieh was asked about the photos and videos of Nasrallah and other Hezbollah leaders. She said she's apolitical and she received those photos on WhatsApp groups.

Singapore's new visa reforms aim to attract Indian professionals by removing employment caps and expanding eligible roles, while increasing salary thresholds. Meanwhile, Trump's proposed 2025 immigration plan threatens to limit opportunities for Indian workers in the US with reduced H-1B visas and stricter merit-based criteria.

The Gold Card visa, introduced under Trump's administration, offers US residency for a $5 million investment, bypassing job creation rules of the EB-5 visa. While it provides an alternative for wealthy H-1B holders stuck in green card backlogs, it won’t replace skilled immigration, as industries need expertise, not just money, to fill critical workforce shortages in tech and manufacturing.

Indian children with expiring dependent visas face uncertainty as recent US immigration changes affect their ability to stay legally. Green card backlogs and policy shifts may force them to leave the US, despite having lived there most of their lives, leading to potential financial burdens and emotional distress.

Accenture's quarterly results have caused concerns about growth prospects of Indian IT firms, leading to a significant drop in technology stocks such as TCS, HCL Tech, and Infosys.