Coronavirus Pandemic: US to extend visa of Indians depending on ground situation
.jpg)
As the novel coronavirus creates havoc in America, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will extend help to stranded Indians amid visa worries and may extend their stay depending on the circumstances.
The US immigration authority may provide special consideration or expedited processing for those who may need it on a case-by-case basis, WION has learnt.
USCIS takes care of issues like visas, citizenship, work visas etc and is expected to provide special support to individuals who may be affected by circumstances beyond their control.
The US is by far the worst affected country in the world with 5.8 lakh cases and over 23,000 deaths.
India had last week requested the US government to extend the validity of H-1B and other visas for Indian nationals stranded in the country due to the cancellation of all flights in and out of India over COVID-19 pandemic. The request was conveyed from the US State Department to the Department of Homeland Security, under which the USCIS comes.
The USCIS has taken steps to help immigration-related problems of individuals and employers amid ongoing COVID crisis in the US. The body is currently analysing issues and other possible steps the agency may take to further address some of these challenges and will consider the public’s recommendations.
The matter was taken up by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who shared the Indian government's concerns with US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E Biegun on Wednesday.
During the talks between the Foreign Secretary and the US Deputy Secretary of State, both discussed ways to enhance cooperation to counter and control the pandemic, including measures "through the development of novel therapies and prophylactics against COVID-19 and ensuring the availability of essential medicines, diagnostic and medical equipment, and sharing of best practices and information," sources told WION.
If the employer terminates the contract of an H-1B holder, the employee needs to find new employment within 60 days to retain their H-1B status. But until now there has been no order as such from the US Government asking employers to terminate services of H-1B visa holders.
With fears of unemployment in the US, news has been going around that Indians with an H-1B visa might be impacted. Almost 10 million Americans have filed for unemployment allowance which has been the larger trend and not specific to Indians. In addition to this, visa renewal is being delayed due to the lockdown.
It is to be noted that Indians constitute the largest percentage of H-1B visa holders in the US. US and India have been having a high-level mutual engagement ever since the COVID-19 pandemic broke.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump spoke on April 4 regarding steps to counter the crisis arising out of the situation. Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar had also spoken with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on April 6.
Other Latest News
.webp)
Paytm is in talks with Zomato Ltd. to sell its movie and events ticketing business, according to people familiar with the matter, as the beleaguered fintech company carves a revival strategy amid weakening sales.
The discussions between Paytm, officially known as One97 Communications Ltd., and online food delivery firm Zomato are in advanced stages, though there are other suitors for the business, the people said, declining to be named as the matter is private. Talks are ongoing and no final decision has been made, the people said.
.webp)
The multi-crore Dharavi slum redevelopment project involves no land transfer to the Adani group but to the Maharashtra government's departments, and the Ahmedabad-based conglomerate, as a project developer, will build houses that will be handed over to the same departments for allotment to residents of Asia's biggest slums, sources said.
Denying allegations of land grab made by MP Varsha Gaikwad, sources close to the project said land parcels are to be transferred only to Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA) of the state government's housing department.
.webp)
Five of the top-10 most valued firms together added Rs 85,582.21 crore in market valuation last week, with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) emerging as the biggest gainer, in-line with positive trend in equities.
Last week, BSE benchmark Sensex climbed 299.41 points or 0.39 per cent. The 30-share barometer hit its all-time high of 77,145.46 on June 13.
.webp)
In a significant step towards enhancing green energy generation in the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone for a 25-MW solar power generation project at the premises of the Namrup Thermal Power Station in Dibrugarh district on Friday.
A joint venture between the Assam Power Generation Corporation and Oil India Limited, the project will span 108 acres and is expected to cost Rs. 115 crore.
.webp)
South Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor Co's Indian subsidiary, Hyundai Motor India Limited, has filed draft papers to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to raise around $3 billion through an initial public offering (IPO), aiming for a valuation between $18 billion to $20 billion, according to a report in Moneycontrol.
If the listing proceeds as planned, this transaction, which is a pure Offer For Sale (OFS) by the promoter.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
