Trump allowsH-IB, travel banexemptions

Washington, August 13

In a move that could help Indian IT professionals and those working in the healthcare sector, the Trump Administration has announced certain exemptions in H-1B and L-1 travel ban for those continuing employment with the same employer. The exemptions also includes family members of the H-1B, L-1 and certain categories of J1 visas.

President Donald Trump, in his June proclamation, had banned entry into the US of workers in several key non-immigrant visa categories, including the H-1B, arguing that they ate into American jobs amid the pandemic.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The State Department, which issued the revised travel advisory, on Wednesday said that the exemptions have been given under the national interest category. PTI