93% of H-4 US Visa Holders Are Indians: Report

According to a latest Congressional report on the spouse visa H-4 with working authorisation, a staggering 93 percent of the total visa holders in the US are Indians.

It also said that over one-fifth of the H-4 visa holders that with work authorisation lived in California nd 93 percent of the employment authorisation was issued to women.

The report on H-4 visas was prepared by the independent Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the US Congress, which prepares periodic reports on issues of interest to US lawmakers.

In its nine-page report, the CRS said, "Ninety-three percent of approved applications for H-4 employment authorisation was issued to individuals born in India, and five percent were issued to individuals born in China. Individuals born in all other countries combined make up the remaining two percent of approved applications."

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services had approved 126,853 applications as on December 25, 2017, for employment authorisation for H-4 visa holders. That accounts for the total applications since the rule's implementation in May 2015.

By law approvals for employment authorisation documents have been issued to H-4 non-immigrants living in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories, with no geographical constraints.

Out of the total population, California accounted for more than one-fifth (28,033), while Texas and New Jersey made for another 20 percent. Before 2015, work authorisation was not issued to H-4 visa holders. Also Read: California Surpassed UK To Become World's 5th Largest Economy

Federal Register under the Obama administration issued a notice that established work authorisation for certain H-4 spouses as the policymakers argued that it would support the US economy as H-1B non-immigrants and their spouses have historically made significant contributions to entrepreneurship and research and development.

It was introduced on the grounds that it will reduce personal and financial burdens on H-1B and H-4 non-immigrants, reduce disruption to the US businesses and help attract and retain highly-skilled workers.

Also, with the H-4 visa employment authorisation status, one is not restricted to a specific employer or additional approval from the Department of Labour. It allows self-employment, starting a business, or even hiring employees.

The current Trump administration, however, with its 'America First' policy is proposing to remove H-4 visa employment authorisation for spouses of H-1B non-immigrants. The proposed rule is anticipated to be published in June 2018, followed by a public comment period before a final rule would be published, CRS said.