The innovations involve an increase in the issuance of B and H visas, which are allocated for 'specialists of valuable professions'. It is expected that the number of visas for high-tech specialists and engineers will be 65-115 thousand, gradually increasing to 180 thousand visas per year. The reform bill proposes not to include in this quota potential immigrants with a master's or doctoral degree, as well as graduates of medical schools recognized in the United States. For all of them, it is proposed to simply ease the process of legalization in the United States.
The new legislation will significantly simplify the process of obtaining the coveted green card (residence permit in the United States), which is considered a crucial step on the path to acquiring U.S. citizenship. Until now, the main way to obtain a residence permit was through having direct relatives in the United States.
The bill on immigration policy reform managed to unite President Bush and the Democrats, which in itself is a fairly rare occurrence, Maariv notes. Nevertheless, in the coming weeks, a struggle for a majority will unfold, which must vote in favor of the reform in order to then pass it in Congress. As a representative of the lobby opposing the immigration policy reform stated, the US is looking for cheap labor, and if earlier it was tomato pickers, now it is high-tech workers.
The proposed easing of immigration policy is accompanied by a significant increase in the cost of the process of obtaining a green card and U.S. citizenship. Starting July 30, the fee for applying for citizenship will increase from $330 to $595, and the fingerprinting procedure from $70 to $80. The price of applying for a residence permit together with the fingerprinting fee will increase from $325 to $1,010. The application for citizenship for the spouse of a U.S. citizen will cost $455 instead of the current $170.
In addition, the US Congress recently raised the issue of abolishing the so-called Green Card lottery (more on this, 'Zagranitsa' reported in the previous issue). Under the lottery, 50,000 rights to permanent residence and work in the US are granted annually by random selection, which is the first step to obtaining US citizenship.
Work visas of types H and B are in high demand because they offer greater chances of obtaining permanent status in the US. Such visas are intended for people with higher education or holders of professions in demand in America, who have very high chances of finding a job in the United States.
Translation
NEWSru.co.il