The Biden-Harris administration in the US has unveiled measures to expedite visa processing for college graduates with job offers, signalling a positive development for future international students. The initiative to simplify employment-based non-immigrant visas for US college graduates with job offers is designed to attract top talent and retain skilled workers, benefiting the economy. “The US needs to hire more international graduates. Our society is ageing, our birthrate is falling, and our own citizens are choosing not to pursue degrees in the STEM, healthcare and services fields,” IIE CEO Alan Goodman told The PIE News. “This new policy could be an important step for the US to attract skilled graduates by streamlining visa processes and providing clear guidelines for waivers to retain top talent and bolster our workforce.”

Visa changes

As part of the changes, the US Department of State updated its guidance for consular officers on 15 July, outlining when to recommend waivers for certain applicants. This streamlining of the process is expected to lead to quicker issuance of work visas. “It’s fair to say there are indications that the current US administration – which, of course, includes Vice President Kamala Harris – is making moves that are more accommodating of international students,” said Anna Esaki-Smith, cofounder of research consultancy Education Rethink. The H-1B visa, a non-immigrant work visa, enables individuals to work in the US for an initial period of three years with employer sponsorship, and it can be extended for an additional three years. “As it stands, obtaining an employment-based immigrant visa process can be quite onerous. Between high fees, long wait times and the visa cap set by Congress, students who wish to stay in the US do not have a guaranteed pathway,” Goodman added. 

Timing issues

Although the recent changes aim to expedite visa processing for graduates with job offers, the number of visas issued remains insufficient. Indeed, for the 2024 fiscal year, approximately 781,000 initial H-1B visa applications were submitted, but only 24% were selected to proceed with the petition process. Of those, only 85,000 will actually receive a visa. This is due to a cap imposed by Congress since 2004, which limits the number of H-1B visas to 65,000 per year, with an additional 20,000 allocated for holders of master's and PhD degrees.

Following the H-1B visa announcement, the Department of Homeland Security has also included Environmental/Natural Resource Economics in the list of STEM fields that qualify international students for a two-year extension of the one-year OPT work program. These measures are expected to enhance the appeal of the US as a study destination and offer more opportunities for international students who are keen to improve their employability through work experience abroad. “We have seen that scenario play out in many countries over the past two decades. Where access to jobs increases, enrolment rises. Where access decreases, enrolment drops,” said CEO of Instead, Ben Waxman. “There are strong indicators that a Harris presidency will be supportive of international education and career opportunity growth. If I were placing bets, I’d add more money to the pot on this one,” he added

Policy amendments in other locations  

Policy changes in other leading study destinations are also affecting the popularity of the US as a study destination. Indeed, Canada and Australia have introduced caps limiting the number of international students, while the UK’s new Labour government has reaffirmed its commitment to welcoming international students. However, the previous government's restrictions on dependents continue to influence student recruitment.