The Trump administration has proposed ending a 60-day grace period that allows certain immigrants, including skilled workers on H-1B visas, to remain in the United States while they look for a new sponsor after losing their jobs.
According to a notice published by the US Department of Homeland Security, workers on H-1B and some other temporary visas would have to leave the country as soon as their employment ends if the rule is approved.
The proposal could affect major American tech companies that depend heavily on foreign talent. DHS said some of the jobs could instead go to American workers.
The administration has already raised visa fees for skilled workers and paused immigrant visa appointments at US missions worldwide as it rolls out a new training programme.
The 60-day grace period, introduced in 2017, gives foreign workers time to find another job or sort out personal affairs before leaving the US.
H-1B visas are especially important for tech firms that hire talent from India and China. The proposed change would also affect holders of several other visas, including E-1, E-2, L-1, O-1, TN, H-1B1 and E-3 categories.
The rule will now go through a two-month public comment period before it can be finalised. The move is also likely to raise concern among skilled foreign professionals, including Pakistani workers in the US on temporary visas.
The post US Proposes End to H-1B Grace Period appeared first on ProPakistani.
