The United States authorities are discussing the possibility of issuing employment authorization for those who are in the early stages of Green Card application.
Such a possibility was discussed by a presidential advisory commission, and if approved, the move means that highly skilled workers will not be subject to long wait times as before for the Permanent Residence Card, VisaGuide.World reports.
According to the Economic Times, the recommendation proposes that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security grant Employment Authorization Documents (EAD cards)as well as travel documents to people who have approved I-140 employment-based visa petitions in categories EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3.
The same source stressed that if approved, the move will also include people who have been waiting in the visa backlog for five or more years, regardless if they have filed adjustment of status applications.
A detailed discussion of the proposal was held by the Members of the President’s Advisory Commissioner for American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander commission. Moreover, it was stressed that the proposal was moved by Ajay Jain Bhutoria, who highlighted the obstacles that H-1B visa holders face in the US.
Commenting on the matter, Bhutoria said the change in the rules would benefit the US as the country would be able to continue attracting skilled workers, especially those in the field of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. The same stressed that the move would also improve the lives of many skilled workers by being permitted to remain and work in the US.
The recommendation of the US authorities to ease some of the rules comes not long after the country started facing labor shortages in different sectors.
For this reason, in order to not force skilled foreign workers to face long waiting times when their visas are being processed or force them to leave the country because their non-immigrant visas have expired, the authorities believe that it is about time to make changes to the system.
Granting EAD cards would also provide foreigners with greater security and stability. It would also allow them to travel freely without being worried about visa appointments.
The EAD card, which is also referred to as a US work permit, can be of two types – a permanent US work permit or a nonimmigrant visa US permit. The document is issued by USCIS, and it looks like a regular ID card.
To be eligible to get an EAD, applicants must fulfill a few criteria as well as file Form I-765 and attach supporting documents.
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