Relief for Indian IT sector as Biden administration removes H-1B visa curbs

Dept of Homeland Security vacates rule that would have redefined H-1B specialty occupations, curbed off site placement of H-1B staff, and raised employer compliance obligations

The US government has removed a regulation proposed by former president Donald Trump’s administration that sought to narrow the definition of “specialty occupation” under the H-1B visa regime. The change comes as a relief for Indian information technology firms, which are among the largest users of such visas.

“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally vacated a regulation that would have redefined the H-1B specialty occupation, restricted off site placement of H-1B employees, and otherwise increased employer compliance obligations. The vacatur follows a federal court ruling that set aside the regulation because the agency did not have good cause to