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New US Visa Rules 2025: Key Changes in US Visa Guidelines
Edited By Apoorva Singh | Updated on Jan 15, 2025 03:39 PM IST
Are you planning to study in the USA in 2025? Or have completed a course in the USA and looking for post-study work opportunities? In both cases, applying for a US visa is the first step to start your journey. The modernised version of H-1B visa is announced by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The changes in the US visa rules were introduced on December 18, 2024, and will come into effect on January 17, 2025.
Flexibility in rescheduling US Visa appointments, and revised criteria for skilled workforce, are some of the key changes in the new US Visa rules 2025. These updated visa rules will allow a much smoother US visa application process, and allow global firms to retain skilled workers in the country.
In October 2024, a total of 13,100 H-1B visas were issued to Indian nationals. The F-1 student visas USA for Indian students have witnessed a sharp increase in the past few years. In 2021, over 96,000 US study visas were issued; in 2022, the number was 133,000. The number of US study visas for Indian students again increase to 140,000 in 2023. There are thousands of US Visa applications done on a daily basis. Read this article to learn about the key changes in US Visa rules in 2025.
NEW US Visa Rules 2025
USISC has introduced changes in US Visa rules to make the USA visa application process smooth, transparent and efficient. The changes are a step towards the adoption of digitalisation and modernisation. The major changes introduced in the US Visa Rules 2025 are as follows:
Rescheduling Visa Appointments Once for Free
A major change in the US visa is introduced regarding the flexibility of rescheduling Visa appointments. Indian US Visa applicants can now reschedule their Visa appointments once without incurring any extra fees. A non-refundable rescheduling fee of USD 185 (Rs. 15,730) will be charged if the appointment is rescheduled for the second time.
Redefined "Specialty Occupation”
The changes in H-1B visa rules are implemented to ensure that only skilled labour gets the US work permit. The new rules give more clarity of "speciality occupation.” Hence, now applicants need to demonstrate their educational qualifications and show that the qualifications resonate with the job role they are applying for. After the implementation of this rule, acquiring the H-1B visa for non-skilled workers will be difficult.
Interview Waiver for Previous US Visa Applicants
Interview Waiver is a significant change which will reduce the wait time for new US visa applicants. Frequent USA visitors will get their visas more quickly. Through the expansion of visa interview waivers, previous H-1B visa holders will get to bypass the one-to-one visa interview process. This move will priortise new visa applicants.
Also Read: US Student F1 Visa Sample Mock Interview Questions & Answers 2025
Increase in Visa Appointments
The number of visa appointments will increase to 1 million in 2025. This move is highly important to reduce the visa wait time and curb the growing number of visa backlogs. Currently, the US B1/B2 Visa wait time is more than 400 days in all five centres of India. In the US VISA New Delhi Centre, the wait time for B1/B2 visa is 442 days, while for F, M, J visas the waiting time is 85 days.
Strict measures to curb bulk applications
To curb bulk applications and ensure genuine H-1B applications, the consulate will implement strict measures. This move will curb the potential misuse of the H-1B program and benefit employers and employees both.
More details from employers on speciality occupation
The new rules will benefit the Employer-Employee relationship. For H-1B visa applications, employers now need to provide more details of the existence of a legitimate position in a speciality occupation. Employers must provide detailed documentation on the same line.
Automatic cap-gap extensions
The transition from an F-1 visa to an H-1B visa will be smooth and efficient after the implementation of automatic cap-gap extensions as new US visa rules. Nonprofit and If the primary function of governmental research organizations and non-profit organisations is research then they will qualify as cap-exempt.
A new US consulate in Bangalore is also going to open shortly. With the new US consulate, the visa application process will be more streamlined. More visa applications can be processed from India. Currently, there are five USA visa centres in India - Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
What is H-1B Visa?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows employers to hire workers in speciality occupations. As per the US Department of Labour, “A speciality occupation requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and the attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.” The validity of an H-1B visa is typically for three years and can be extended up to six years.
Also read:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many days is US H-1B visa valid?
The validity of H-1B visa is 3 years, but it can be further extended to 6 years.
2. How many times can I visit the US in one year?
There is no limitation on the number of times a person can visit US In a year. This entirely depend on the type of visa one is applying for and the purpose of the visit.
3. What is the H-1B visa fee for 2025?
The H-1B visa USCIS filing fee is USD $460. The fees to file Form I-129 is $780.
Articles
Jan 15, 2025
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Get answers from students and experts
Hi there
Yes you can try to learn various courses that are for approximately 3 months to 6 months in duration.
Yes you can learn before going to us. Learning skills definitively adds some value to the life of a candidate and also improves in getting good recognition in life..
Below i have mentioned some courses that you can try before visiting us:
- Social media marketing
- Content writer
- Content creation
- Video editing
- Photography skills
- Digital marketing
- Stiching
- Makeup artist course
- Hairstyling course.
So these are some courses you can try.
Hope this answer will help you. Revert incase of any query.
Thank you and good luck:)
Anushri Varshney 12 June,2022
Hello Samarasimha,
YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.
Furthermore, the requirements to pursue MS in USA are as follows :
- 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field.
- 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors.
- GRE score of 330 or above.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Research Internships/ Published Research Papers.
- Project work/Seminars.
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation.
- Social & Leadership Activities.
Further, requirements for Software jobs in USA are as follows :
- Enroll in a software development program. The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. ...
- Gain internship experience. ...
- Choose your specialty. ...
- Pursue industry certifications. ...
- Continue your education.
I hope that this will help.
Piyush kesarwani 13 May,2022
Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..
To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as
- TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
- There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.
Top university of The USA for master degree courses
- John Carroll University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Michigan State University
- West Virginia University
- Rhode Island College
- University of Arkansas
- Vanderbilt University
- DePaul University
- Delaware State University
- Texas A&M University-Commerce
- University of South Florida
- California State University Northridge
You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below
https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp
Hope it's helpful for you..
Thank you
AVINASH KUMAR 23 February,2022
There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .
Tabitha 08 January,2022
Hello Student
You are aBHM means Bachelor in Hotel Management so after doing BHM,to gain a bright future inthis trade you have to do MSc in Hotel Management,post graduation in Hospitality Management,Master degree in travel and tourism management,or MBA in hotel management,AFter doing post graduation in Hotel management or travel and tourism management will give you the best return in employment opportunity.
Hope this will help.
Sohamsengupta8 13 February,2022
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