It appears that U.S. President Donald Trump’s grudge against foreign students and H-1B visa holders has still not subsided. Bringing new rules from time to time and throwing everyone into confusion has become a habit for him. He takes one decision first… then says “cancel it” many times later. In world history, one can say that no one else has taken such confusing decisions on various issues like Donald Trump. Not only that, the situation has become such that his words cannot be trusted at all. The main reason for this is the lack of consistency in Donald Trump’s decisions. At one point he says there will be strict restrictions on H-1B visas. Another time he says America badly needs skilled foreign employees. The people of that country would never have imagined that someone who counters his own decisions through his own statements would become the President of the United States. The policy being followed by U.S. officials now is pushing many employees into confusion. In one word, this is a piece of news that Indian H-1B employees cannot digest.
Because suddenly, with the rescheduling of H-1B and H-4 visas, confusion has arisen among Indian employees. Thousands of employees who came to India from the U.S. for Christmas and January holidays for H-1B visa stamping have received a shock. Two days ago, the visas of employees who came to India for stamping were rescheduled by the U.S. consulate— and it is still continuing. According to newly announced information, all visa slots from December 15 to December 24 have been postponed to the month of March and beyond. In reality, for an H-1B employee in the U.S. to come to India, they must compulsorily get stamping done at the American Consulate here. According to the latest regulations, biometric and interview processes are being conducted for this. Many who booked slots two months in advance and came to India learned about this rescheduling only after arriving here. H-1B visa employees cannot stay in India for more than 60 days. If they stay longer, they will not be allowed to return to the United States.
Now, those who had a December 15 slot have been given March 25. That is more than 100 days. Because of this, they are clueless about what to do. Similarly, H-4 visa dependents— family members and spouses of H-1B holders— who came for stamping have also gotten stuck here. For various reasons, if people come here and get stuck without visa stamping, they are completely confused and distressed. If they stay in the U.S. without coming for stamping, they can remain there for three years. But if they want to travel to India and return, stamping is compulsory. There are reports that the rescheduling has been done because social media accounts of applicants need to be thoroughly examined before granting visas. Even now, applicants continue to receive emails from the American consulates. Those who already came to India are panicking, wondering when the emails will come and when the rescheduled dates will be announced. Many couples who planned to get married in March have already booked marriage halls. But now they are worried about what their situation will be. Experts say that in the present conditions, it is better not to travel to India from the U.S. for stamping. Some people are not even showing interest in looking toward India until this rescheduling chaos ends.