Many foreign nationals aspiring to work in the United States often face the hurdle of obtaining an H1B visa. However, over the past few years, getting an H1B visa has become increasingly difficult due to various factors. In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why H1B slots are not available.
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Limitation on the Number of H1B Visas
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has set a cap on the number of H1B visas that can be issued each year. This cap is currently set at 85,000, with 65,000 for regular applicants and 20,000 for applicants with a Master’s or higher degree from a U.S. university.
Due to the high demand for H1B visas, this cap is often reached within days of opening the application process. In fact, for the fiscal year 2020-21, USCIS received over 275,000 applications within five days of opening the application process.
The Lottery System
When more applications are received than there are available slots in a particular year, USCIS conducts a lottery system to select applicants who will be granted an H1B visa. The lottery system is random and does not take into consideration an applicant’s qualifications or experience.
This lottery system creates uncertainty and unpredictability for foreign nationals who wish to work in the United States. Even if they possess all of the qualifications required by potential employers in America, they may still not be selected through this lottery system.
Increased Scrutiny
In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny on applications for H1B visas. This scrutiny is due to concerns about potential abuse of the system by some employers who may use H1B visas to hire foreign workers for lower wages than what American workers would expect.
As a result, USCIS has increased its review of H1B visa applications to ensure that they meet all the necessary requirements. This increased scrutiny has resulted in many applications being rejected or delayed, further reducing the number of available H1B slots.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the availability of H1B visas. Due to travel restrictions and economic uncertainties caused by the pandemic, many companies have reduced hiring or even laid off employees.
As a result, there has been a decrease in demand for H1B visas, which has led to a reduction in the number of available slots. Additionally, USCIS offices have been closed or working at limited capacity due to social distancing guidelines, which has further slowed down the application process for H1B visas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, obtaining an H1B visa has become increasingly difficult due to various factors such as limited slots, lottery system, increased scrutiny on applications and the COVID-19 pandemic. While these factors may make it challenging for foreign nationals to work in America, there are still opportunities available through other types of visas or alternative career paths.
- Limitation on the Number of H1B Visas
- The Lottery System
- Increased Scrutiny
- The COVID-19 Pandemic
