
Updates to Exchange Visitor Skills List and H-1B Visa Program
U.S. seeks to attract global talent with visa reform.
-By Charles Givens
December 18, 2024
The U.S. State Department revises the Exchange Visitor Skills List, and the Department of Homeland Security announces a new rule modernizing the H-1B visa program.
The 2024 Exchange Visitor Skills List, effective December 9, 2024, is used by consular officers to determine if an exchange visitor is subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement. The State Department has removed this requirement for students from 37 countries in a move to keep global talent in the United States. Students from India and China are included in this exemption. Exchange visitors whose countries are not on the 2024 list may no longer be subject to this requirement.
Effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, the new H-1B rule clarifies eligibility requirements, expands the definition of specialty occupation positions and streamlines the visa application process. The updated rule modernizes definitions to ensure U.S. employers can hire the highly skilled workers needed. It also clarifies eligibility for nonprofit and governmental research organizations by defining these organizations as those whose “fundamental activity” is research.

To help with transitions, foreign nationals moving from a student visa to an H-1B can extend their post-graduation work permit up to one year after filing their H-1B petition. This means that international students can gain more experience working with U.S. firms. And businesses will have greater flexibility to hire global talent. During 2023-2024 academic year, international students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 378,175 jobs. The new clarity around the transition from an H-1B to work status will only increase those numbers. Additionally, the rule increases oversight by expanding USCIS authority to conduct site visits and combat abuse.
“Both of these measures will allow us to retain talent and boost U.S. competitiveness,” said Associate Vice Provost for Global Affairs Eve Duffy. “These are really welcome changes. In the academic year 2023-2024, international students contributed $914.5 million to the North Carolina economy. We’d love to see that number increase.”
These updates aim to enhance the integrity of both the exchange visitor and H-1B programs while facilitating the entry of skilled workers into the United States.
