US proposes stricter H-1B visa review process, may reject past approvals

The United States is considering a new immigration rule that could significantly toughen scrutiny on H-1B visa holders seeking extensions. Under the proposed measure, federal immigration officers would be allowed to disregard previous approvals when reviewing extension requests, potentially forcing visa holders to meet fresh compliance standards each time they apply.

The rule change marks a shift from current practice, where prior approvals typically carry weight in extension decisions. If implemented, it could create uncertainty for Indian IT professionals and workers on H-1B visas, who form a substantial portion of beneficiaries of the visa category.

The proposal is still under consideration and would need to go through formal rulemaking procedures before taking effect. The exact timeline and final form of the rule remain unclear at this stage.