10-12-2009, 12:08 AM
<b>US F1 student visas fall 25%</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->NEW DELHI: It's official. There were less F1 student visas for the US issued across India in financial year 2009 (Oct 08-Sep 09) than the previousÂ
FY08. In fact, 25,860 issuances in FY09 actually translates into a whopping 25% decline over 34,510, which was the number issued last year.
Most experts and consultants feel that the fall in numbers of Indian students choosing to go to the US for higher studies is because of the fall in financial aid offered by institutions rather than any visa strictures.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>20,000 H-1B visas still up for grabs in the US</b>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->WASHINGTON: About 20,000 H-1B visas, one of the most sought after for overseas professionals including Indians, are still up for grabs in the USÂ
which is struggling to fill up the allocated number of 65,000, even as less than a month remains before the start of the next financial year.
Primarily meant for computers and information technology professionals, the H-1B visas have been one of the most sought after for foreign professionals in previous years.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has been receiving several times the number of the allocated quota. However, this year, the USCIS is struggling to fill up the 65,000 H-1B visas as mandated by the US Congress.
...
This is mainly attributed to the strict approval policy adopted by the USCIS this year and the ongoing economic recession, which has resulted in a 26-year high unemployment rate of 9.7 per cent in the US.
"As of August 28, 2009, approximately 45,100 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed," the USCIS said in a statement.
USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn, it said.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
FY08. In fact, 25,860 issuances in FY09 actually translates into a whopping 25% decline over 34,510, which was the number issued last year.
Most experts and consultants feel that the fall in numbers of Indian students choosing to go to the US for higher studies is because of the fall in financial aid offered by institutions rather than any visa strictures.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>20,000 H-1B visas still up for grabs in the US</b>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->WASHINGTON: About 20,000 H-1B visas, one of the most sought after for overseas professionals including Indians, are still up for grabs in the USÂ
which is struggling to fill up the allocated number of 65,000, even as less than a month remains before the start of the next financial year.
Primarily meant for computers and information technology professionals, the H-1B visas have been one of the most sought after for foreign professionals in previous years.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has been receiving several times the number of the allocated quota. However, this year, the USCIS is struggling to fill up the 65,000 H-1B visas as mandated by the US Congress.
...
This is mainly attributed to the strict approval policy adopted by the USCIS this year and the ongoing economic recession, which has resulted in a 26-year high unemployment rate of 9.7 per cent in the US.
"As of August 28, 2009, approximately 45,100 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed," the USCIS said in a statement.
USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn, it said.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->