This Article was fact checked and last updated for accuracy on August 27, 2022 by Mani Karthik
So, the Trump administration silently amended the H1B visa requirement rules over the weekend of April 2nd, 2017. Here’s everything you need to know.
New H1B Visa Rule Changes April 2017
What changed & summary: The USCIS basically reversed its previous definition of “entry-level programming jobs” and separated it from being qualified as a “specialty occupation” — a basic requirement for receiving an H-1B work visa. What this means is that people with no Master’s level or Bachelor’s level of education will find it difficult to get an H1 visa.
How many people are on H1B visas in USA?
There are about 120,000 H1B Visa holders in USA as of 2017. (Source)
How many H1B visas are qualified under entry level category?
About 40% of total H1B visas granted by USA are categorized as entry level jobs. (Source)
Who will be affected by the new H1B visa rule change?
Candidates without a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (equivalent in USA) will find it difficult to get qualified for a H1B visa.
Who is qualified as “specialty occupation”?
An entry level programmer (as defined above) could no longer be considered as ‘a specialty occupation’.
Some critics say that this rule was already in place. As in, companies were always warned of “importing” non-qualified workers to US through H1B visas. Those companies that attempted to do so with identifiable patterns were always under the radar. The new reform basically reinstates the rule with a formal announcement and a clearer definition.
Perhaps there is no reason to panic but the Trump administration is bringing in these changes/reforms to “clean up” the H1B abuse (Source CIO).
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