US Govt Allows 1.5 Yrs Extension Of Expired H1B Visa, Spouse Work Visa: Good News For All Indians!

The US government has announced an extension on the expired visas of certain categories of immigrants, which also includes people seeking green cards and spouses of H-1B visa holders. 

The extension that will be offered is for 18 months and will be effective after May 4, 2022.

Read on to find out the reason behind this extension offered by the Government!

18 Month Extension Granted To Visa Holders By US Government

The 18 month extension, announced by the Department of Homeland Security comes as a major relief to all the Indians working in the US and also ensures that there is no disturbance for employers in the US. 

The extension period of up to 180 days will automatically be extended to up to 540 days from the expiration date. This expiration date is mentioned on the current Employment Authorisation Cards (EADs).

The reason behind this extension is that the USCIS needs additional time to address the pending EAD caseloads. As per the USCIS, the 180 day extension that is in effect presently is not sufficient for the employment authorization.

Reason Behind Grant Of Extension?

As per USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) Director Ur M. Jaddou, “This temporary rule will provide those non-citizens, otherwise eligible for the automatic extension, an opportunity to maintain employment and provide critical support for their families, while avoiding further disruption for US employers.”

Non-citizens who have a pending EAD renewal application and a lapsed 180-day automatic extension will be given an extension of 18 months. It will also be granted to those whose EAD has expired.

They will also be allowed to resume employment if they are still within the up to 540-day automatic extension period and are otherwise eligible.

Additionally, non-citizens with a pending renewal application still covered under the 180-day automatic extension will be granted an additional extension of up to 360 days. This will be for a total of up to 540 days past the expiration of the current EAD.

This extension is bound to affect 87,000 immigrants whose work permit has lapsed or will lapse in the next 30 days. The government has estimated that around 4,20,000 immigrants renewing work permits will be protected from losing their ability to work in the country.