Indian techies to get faster approval for H1-B visa applications

Indian techies are likely to receive faster approval for their H-1B visa applications in the coming months as the United States has done away with in-person interviews for processing such applications as a temporary measure.

Due to talent crunch and disruption in processing of applications during the ongoing COVID pandemic, US has taken such measure. As India is the largest beneficiary of the H-1B visa applications, this step is going to benefit a lot of Indian and US-based technology firms.

""The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in profound reductions in the department's visa processing capacity. As global travel rebounds, we are taking these temporary steps to further our commitment to safely and efficiently reduce visa wait times while maintaining national security as our priority," said the Department of State in a statement.

Apart from H-1B; other categories including L-1, students (F&M visas) and individuals with extraordinary ability (O visas) will also be exempted from in-person interviews.

In March 2020, US had suspended all routine visa services in most countries worldwide due to the pandemic. While the services have been reinstated with a limited capacity and on a priority basis, months-long wait times for certain visa appointments persist due to a massive backlog.

Meanwhile, the H-1B visa approval rate for FY21 was the highest in a decade despite pandemic-related travel restrictions. Annually, 85,000 visas are issued under the H-1B visa category.