The world is facing an ongoing existential crisis. COVID-19 hs taken its toll on the globe. Many countries are quarantined and striving hard to battle against corona.
The US government has finally allowed the applications by H-1B visa holders for an extended stay in the country.
What is H-1B Visa?
H-1B is a non-immigrant visa. It enables American companies to hire foreign workers in occupations that require theoretical and technical experts. Companies employ thousand of professionals from foreign countries every year based on this visa.
Allowed applications for H-1B visas
The announcement of these applications came when the international borders of most of the companies are closed due to COVID-19. Mostly all international flights are suspended all across the globe.
The visas of several India professionals will be expired soon. As a result, they remain stranded there.
So, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to accept applications for extension of expiring visas.
Hence, the stay of these Indians in America will no longer be against the law as the stay automatically extends by 240 days if the stay request is filed on time.
US is the most adversely affected country by COVID-19
The US has the highest number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the world. There are more than five lakhs confirmed positive cases in the US. More than 25,000 people have died so far.
As per the latest news, US President Donald Trump has put a stay on the funds to WHO (World Health Organisation) for keeping the actual happenings in China under the wraps.
Bill Gates responded to this:
Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 15, 2020
Conditions have intensified all across the globe. After Italy and China, the US has now become the hardest hit of the COVID-19 pandemic. In such circumstances, this decision of the US Government has bought relief to several Indians.
To know the latest updates of COVID-19 all across the globe, visit the official site of WHO.
