The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed changes to the H1-B visa process, but will these changes benefit Indians? The proposed rules, which will be published in the Federal Register, do not change the Congress-mandated limit on the number of H1-B visas issued each year. This limit is currently set at 60,000. While some experts say that the proposed changes will level the playing field for Indians, others argue that it will also increase scrutiny.

The Biden administration claims that the changes will improve efficiency by streamlining eligibility and providing more flexibility to F-1 students, entrepreneurs, and non-profit workers. The proposed rules also aim to reduce the possibility of fraud and misuse in the H1-B registration selection process.

Some of the proposed changes include selecting H1-B visa registrations based on unique beneficiaries, eliminating multiple submissions on behalf of an individual. The rules also introduce guidelines for voluntary work-site visits and clarify requirements for filing new visa petitions when employment details change.

However, advocates and researchers have mixed opinions about the proposed changes. Some argue that the regulations are a modest attempt to improve the H1-B program, while others worry that the application process may become more difficult. The proposed rules do not address issues related to green card backlogs, which can leave workers on H1-B visas at risk for labor abuses.

Overall, while the proposed changes may level the playing field for Indians, it remains to be seen how they will impact the broader H1-B visa process and the Indian community specifically.