The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that certain spouses of expats who work in the US for American employers with an H-1B visa will soon be able to work in that country as well.
Long queue for a green card
American companies are allowed to attract a certain number of foreign, highly educated employees annually to work in the United States on the basis of an H-1B visa. Usually these professionals apply for permanent residence, but are then caught up in the long queue for a green card.
Retaining highly skilled workers
Up until now it was not possible for the spouses of those foreign employees to work. But, from May 26, certain spouses will be able to apply for employment authorisation. Léon Rodríguez, director of the USCIS, recently explained: “It helps US businesses to keep their highly skilled workers by increasing the chances these workers will choose to stay in this country during the transition from temporary workers to permanent residents.”
Evidence on the need for change
The change in regulation is also a success for the Permits Foundation, as it has closely worked together with American organisations, providing evidence on the need for change.
Source: www.permitsfoundation.com
Global Connection is a sponsor of the Permits Foundation
