In a recent press release, the White House reaffirmed their commitment to bringing the best and brightest researchers and educators from around the world to the United States. To attract these skilled individuals, the White House and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are working to make gaining employment in the United States easier for talented researchers.

This effort includes a proposed rule from DHS that would allow the spouses of H-1B workers to apply for authorization to live and work in the United States. H-1B is a visa that gives skilled workers temporary employment authorization. To receive an H-1B visa, potential employers have to petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on a worker’s behalf. DHS also proposed a second rule that would make is easier for outstanding researchers and professors to demonstrate eligibility for an EB-1 visa. With this visa, professors and researchers would be able to apply for an EB-1 visa by presenting their diverse achievements, such as groundbreaking patents or prestigious scientific grants.

If you are a student in the United States and want to work after completing your program of study, you may have the option to apply for H-1B status. To qualify for H-1B status, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher (or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree), or training that is equivalent to completing a degree. Your current or perspective employer may then petition USCIS for an H-1B visa on your behalf.

Learn more about the H-1B visa process on Study in the States.