President Biden recently issued an executive order that may have profound impacts on international students and institutions in the US.
The directive primarily addresses the effects of AI on the country and how new initiatives can be used to helpfully employ the technology for the benefit of the nation.
One of the main objectives stated in the document is to modernize and simplify the requirements for visas, interviews, and reviews in order to draw in more foreign researchers and students enthusiastic about AI to study, reside, and pursue careers in the United States. Foreign STEM students will, therefore, benefit from this better accessibility.
The directive also encourages seeking measures to increase J-1 exchange visitor opportunities as well as adding skills that are “critical to the US” to the J-1 visa’s skills list. The skills list will be in line with the changing demands of the global labor market. Instead of having to wait two years in their home countries, thousands of high-skilled J-1 visa holders will then be able to apply for other visa categories right away. One of the visa criteria mentioned is the H-1B program. Its procedure will be updated to improve integrity and make it more useful for professionals in AI and other vital and developing fields.
A “Schedule A” list, indicating which US jobs lack sufficient workers will be updated by gathering public opinions on professions in AI and STEM as well as any other relevant fields. The higher education sector has a fantastic chance to respond with ideas for new professions and disciplines of study. This “Schedule A” list might also significantly expand the employment-based opportunities available to international students.
