United States Citizenship and Immigration Services:
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B season will open on March 6 and run through March 221. The H-1B visa is a popular option for Indian professionals who want to work in the US. The USCIS also said it is working on cutting processing times and green card backlogs for H-1B holders1.
Canada:
Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, proposed a limit on international students to address housing shortages2. This could affect Indian students who make up the largest group of study permit holders in Canada2. The minister said he would work with provincial governments to find a balance between attracting talent and ensuring affordability2.
India:
India ranked second as the top source country of new US citizens in fiscal 2023, with 59,100 (6.7%) Indians acquiring US citizenship3. Nearly 8.7 lakh foreign nationals became US citizens during the fiscal 2023, a slight decrease from the previous year’s data of 9.7 lakh new American citizens3.
A bipartisan border and national security bill that could have provided relief to Indians stuck in green card backlogs was blocked by Republicans in the US Senate. The bill aimed to strengthen border security and provide assistance to Israel and Ukraine, but also included provisions to recapture unused green cards and eliminate per-country caps.
New Zealand emerged as an attractive destination for Indian techies, due to its relatively easy immigration process, employment opportunities, low crime rate, and free or affordable healthcare. The country also offers a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship for skilled migrants.
