In a separate statement on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs called the United States’ broader review of H-1B petitions “a cause for concern,” noting that new layers of scrutiny—including employer site visits and additional wage-level verification—have slowed approvals and disrupted Indian professionals’ mobility.
Industry bodies NASSCOM and USIBC report average adjudication times rising to 11 weeks, versus six weeks a year ago. Delays are already prompting some global service firms to reroute projects to near-shore centres in Canada and Poland.
![MEA criticises expanded US review of H-1B petitions]()
The MEA said it is working with Indian tech employers to compile data on financial losses and will present a detailed brief to the US Trade Representative ahead of the next bilateral Commercial Dialogue.
US officials argue the measures protect domestic workers and curb fraud but insist legitimate applicants “have nothing to fear.” Immigration lawyers counter that ambiguity over what triggers extra review is creating planning uncertainty for both employees and companies.
Until clearer guidelines emerge, mobility teams should budget longer transition windows for US assignments and consider filing ‘premium-processing’ upgrades despite the US$2,805 fee, as these cases remain outside the new random-audit pool.
Industry bodies NASSCOM and USIBC report average adjudication times rising to 11 weeks, versus six weeks a year ago. Delays are already prompting some global service firms to reroute projects to near-shore centres in Canada and Poland.
The MEA said it is working with Indian tech employers to compile data on financial losses and will present a detailed brief to the US Trade Representative ahead of the next bilateral Commercial Dialogue.
US officials argue the measures protect domestic workers and curb fraud but insist legitimate applicants “have nothing to fear.” Immigration lawyers counter that ambiguity over what triggers extra review is creating planning uncertainty for both employees and companies.
Until clearer guidelines emerge, mobility teams should budget longer transition windows for US assignments and consider filing ‘premium-processing’ upgrades despite the US$2,805 fee, as these cases remain outside the new random-audit pool.
Source: The Times of India
