The US Congress is considering an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act so that highly qualified Russian scientists can soon obtain a work visa to the US on easier terms.

In April 2022, the White House initiated requests to the US Congress and the Department of Homeland Security to remove the immigration rule that requires a work visa applicant to provide confirmation from a recruiting agency or potential employer that they have submitted a petition and other necessary documents for their future foreign worker.  It is reported by Bloomberg, citing sources.

The request proposes to issue work visas on simplified terms to Russian researchers who have a master’s or doctoral degree in technology, engineering, mathematics in the United States or abroad.

Specifically, the administration of the current US president is interested in facilitating the relocation to the United States of highly qualified Russian scientists with experience in the field of artificial intelligence, nuclear research, cybersecurity, semiconductors, space technologies and rocket engine development, advanced computing technologies, nuclear engineering and other specialized areas of science and IT.

If this amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act is adopted, the simplified terms proposed for Russian scientists will be valid for four years.  As for the process of verification, collection of documents or other rules and provisions of this law, they do not change.