US to provide work permit to spouses of H-1B visa holders

US to provide work permit to spouses of H-1B visa holders
US to provide work permit to spouses of H-1B visa holders
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The News Minute | February 25, 2015 | 09:45 am IST 

The United States on Tuesday announced that it will provide work permit to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders from May 26. This move is expected to benefit thousands of professional Indian women who have moved to the States with their spouses but are unable to work under the existing laws, states the PTI

“Allowing the spouses of these visa holders to legally work in the United States makes perfect sense. It helps U.S. businesses 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. It also provides more economic stability and better quality of life for the affected families”, USCIS) Director León Rodríguez said in a statement.

Beginning May 26, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept applications for work visas from H-1B spouses. Once USCIS approves the Form I-765 and the H-4 dependent spouse receives an EAD, he or she may begin working in the United States.

USCIS estimates the number of individuals eligible to apply for employment authorization under this rule could be as high as 179,600 in the first year and 55,000 annually in subsequent years.

"We take this opportunity to thank the USCIS and DHS for enabling this provision that has the potential to change the lives of many of our qualified and able members that are unable to work due to status and dependency issues and extend our hearty congratulations to all those that qualify." the Telugu North Association of North America (TANA) said in a statement on its website.

The Telugu population makes up a large chunk of the immigrants that travel to the United States to work or study.

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