Explained: How does US's proposal to stamp H-1B visa in Washington help Indians?

The US President's advisory committee has recommended a provision for H-1B visas to be stamped within their country, a move if approved by President Joe Biden, will act as a breather for many working professionals, including Indians.

A Presidential Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islands on Thursday in a unanimous decision made the suggestion to the White House owing to pending visa applications.

The recommendation points that US Citizenship and Immigration Commission (USCIS) should update its policy and permit the stamping and extension of visas within Washington DC, as was done earlier.

The current proposal was applicable previously, but was discontinued.

"This recommendation is to request USCIS to allow the stamping in the US. Alternatively, USCIS should also consider providing advanced travel documents to these visa holders when they will travel out of the country with expired visa stamping so that they can re-enter the U. S. without having to get re-stamping in their home countries,” said Ajay Jain Bhutoria, member of Presidential commission.

For the unversed, the H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US firms to hire employees from different countries in occupations that require special expertise.

The larger chunk of demand for foreign professionals comes from Silicon Valley which hires tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

As per the existing provision, it is mandatory for people to apply for a visa stamp at a US Consulate or Embassy abroad to get clearance for H-1B visas, a non-immigrant visa category.

Also watch: Explained: how severe has the US visa application problem become

The recent recommendation will have a major impact on the long waiting period for Indians who wait for over a year for renewal of H-1B visas.

The waiting period in India for H-1B visa reneweal is 844 days, reported news agency PTI quoting Ajay Jain Bhutoria, member of Presidential commission.

It is problematic in many ways, often making it difficult for people to get appointments for visa applications.

Even in emergency situations, say death or a family function, people, at times, are not able to travel back to their native country in the fear of delay in the visa application

The repercussions are such that some people end up losing their jobs, disrupting household incomes of many families.

The proposal, therefore, has been moved to bring a diginified process and approach that will make people's life easier.

Also watch: Big boost for Indian tech: US to conduct rare second lottery for H1-B visas, get the details here