The Backlog of Work Visas in the United States Extends As A Result of the Coronavirus

According to the American Immigration skills, a combination of coronavirus and Trump’s US work visa ban has increased an existing backlog.

The backlog has affected some American states more than others. such as in Nevada, 1 in 4 workers is a foreigner, and demand is increasing, but visas are in short supply.

Under the Biden rule, some people applying for a work visa pass for a priority visa. In some cases, it may be exemplary witnessing if a visa application can be made from within the US.

Immigrant advocates have requested Congress to update US immigration policy to expand the number of green cards that are issued.

From the 1990s, the number of employment-based immigrant visas that can be issued has been limited to 140,000. There is a significant increase in backlogs amid the coronavirus.

The firms have been trying to get their overseas employees back to the US, while international students registered in US universities have been left stranded overseas.

Healthcare professionals, required in countries outside of the US, have also been barred from returning to the US, which has resulted in an increased demand for migrants.

Easing the Covid 19 restrictions

Gradually companies are restarting. They have started to think about moving people across borders, sending people to work overseas, returning people to work in the US stated one of the immigrant advocates.

Conforming to the Congressional Research Service, the US work visa backlog across all categories stood at a tremendous 900,000 at the end of 2020.

Based on the prevailing backlog, if it continues at this rate, it anticipates that in 10 years,/ more than two million people could be left waiting for the US work visa.

Trump visa suspension

In March 2020, the issuance of US work visas was suspended, following an official order from former US President Donald Trump. This ban was extended until March 31, 2021.

President Joe Biden has lifted a freeze on US work visas issued by Former president Trump during the pandemic. According to immigration lawyers, most immigrant visas were blocked by the previous orders.

Although the visa ban has expired, coronavirus travel restrictions are still there that means that even if a person can secure a visa, US entry may still be prohibited.

The US Consulates and Embassies across the world continued to be closed. While some are starting to revive, services are confined. According to a NAFSA Member Interest Group, US visa processing setbacks have also impacted Chinese students.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the H1B visa to immigrant citizen card backlog had touched a record of 1.2 million in 2020.

Tech firms badly influenced

The technological sector has disturbed significantly as an outcome of Trump’s visa ban and backlogs caused by the Covid19.

While H1B visas are issued for three years and can be renewed once after that workers need to ensure permanent residency displaying either a green card or citizenship else they must leave the country.

Despite this, green card and citizenship applications have also been hit by huge backlogs, leaving many confronting an uncertain future in the US.