In a relief for Indian nationals stranded in the US, including those whose H-1B is about to expire, the US has agreed to accept applications for visa extension in light of the pandemic. The non-immigrants are generally required to leave the US before their authorised period of admission expires. However, said the US government, it recognised that non-immigrants may unexpectedly remain in the United States beyond their authorised period of stay due to Covid-19.

The US department of homeland security further said in a notification that most nonimmigrants can mitigate the immigration consequences of Covid-19 by timely filing an application for extension of stay or change in status.

India had been in touch with the US on the issue and had requested them to extend the validity of visa of Indian nationals who are stranded. Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla in his phone call with US deputy secretary of state Stephen Biegun had taken up this issue.

“If applicants put in their forms within the specified time frame, their presence will not be taken as ‘unlawful’ and where applicable, employment authorisation with the same employer, subject to the same terms of the prior approval, is automatically extended for up to 240 days,” the notification said.

The US citizen and immigration services added that it “reminds petitioners and applicants that it can consider delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic when deciding whether to excuse delays in filing documents based on extraordinary circumstances.” According to US rules, if an employer terminates the contract of an H1-B holder, the employee needs to find new employment within 60 days, in order to retain the visa status. Indian IT workers have been seeking an extension of this 60-day grace period to 180 days.



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