The US administration, led by President Biden and Vice President Harris, has announced several measures to simplify visa processing for university graduates with job offers.

This initiative, designed to enhance the US's global appeal, simplifies employment-based non-immigrant visas and attracts skilled professionals, particularly in STEM, healthcare, and services. This, in turn, strengthens the economy and creates new opportunities.

Alan Goodman, CEO of the Institute of International Education (IIE), argued that demographic shifts and local higher education preferences require the USA to take advantage of the international graduate pool. The IIE, a leading advocate for global education, has stressed that effective visa processes and transparent waiver standards would substantially boost the nation’s capacity for retaining top-quality talent.

This acceleration will be achieved through specific instructions given to consular officers, guiding them on when to advocate for exemptions for particular applicants. As a result, work visa issuance will speed up after the issuance of new directions from the US Department of State, a key player in this process.

However, obstacles still exist despite this positive development. The existing system of obtaining work-based immigrant visas is complicated due to high fees, long wait times, and strict quotas imposed by Congress. For example, of approximately 781 thousand initial H1B visa petitions submitted for FY 2024, only a few will be approved due to annual cap limits.

Ben Waxman, CEO of Instead, noted that while these policy changes are a positive sign, the complexity of the visa regulations and policy guidance updates could create problems for university recruiters or education agents. This usually results in providing correct information, leading to clarity among prospective students.

In another development, the Department of Homeland Security has expanded the list of STEM disciplines that qualify for an extra two-year extension on top of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme, such as Environmental/Natural Resource Economics. These expansions aim to increase the marketability of foreign learners and make America the USA an attractive place to pursue further studies.

Nonetheless, experts like Anna Esaki-Smith argue that one must be cautious about these moves as they may not significantly change how international students perceive American universities.

In contrast, other major study destinations like Canada and Australia have restricted the number of international students admitted into their higher education systems; however, the UK has played it cool due to previous policy decisions regarding international scholars’ dependents.

Based on this, the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to facilitate visa formalities and open more windows for international graduates are regarded as positive measures towards sustaining America’s ability to attract global talent. However, stakeholders insist on keeping policies clear-cut and consistent to maintain long-term increases in overseas student enrollment and diversity in the labour force.