Biden Proposes Immigration Measure to Attract Russian Scientists

Russia’s Fight to Prevent a Brain Drain

While Russian wages war on neighboring Ukraine with threats of invasion of other countries in Europe, Russian citizens are starting to flee the country due to harsh economic sanctions, the absence of Western companies operating in Russia, and the fear of a rising police state. A majority of the Russian nationals who have fled or are planning to leave Russia soon work in the fields of journalism, the arts, and technology.

The exodus of highly-skilled specialist workers especially those who work in the tech industry has created concern among Russian government officials who fear that this brain drain will weaken Russia. To help retain individuals who work in the technology sector, the Russian government passed an incentive package where young tech workers would be exempted from compulsory military service and IT firms would be given tax breaks and a promise of reduced regulation.

Furthermore, IT workers who stay in Russia would be given subsidized housing, an increase in salary, access to cheap loans, and offers of no income tax for the next three years.

Biden’s Plan to Attract Russian Talent

Many Russian citizens have taken up residence in neighboring European and Central Asian countries, however, they have yet to secure any form of permanent residence and therefore are likely to return to Russia as a result. The Biden administration has seen this exodus as another opportunity for the U.S. to attract more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals into the country.

The Biden administration has outlined its plans to grant permanent resident status to highly-skilled and educated Russian nationals in a Letter to the House (April 28, 2022) regarding emergency supplemental funding for Ukraine.

Under the proposed measure is passed, Russian engineers, scientists, and other professionals who have either a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a STEM field will not require employer sponsorship for an employment-based green card. Furthermore, these Russian stem professionals would not be placed in the backlogs for Green Cards and their visa applications would be processed within 90 days provided that there is no need for additional security assessments.

If passed, this immigration measure would only be temporary. Unless later extended by Congress, this immigration measure would end after four years.

Need help with your employment-based visa? IAS can help with that.

If you are a foreign national with a background in STEM, you might be eligible to immigrate to the United States through an employment-based visa. If you would like professional assistance with your immigrant visa to the United States, contact us today to learn about how we can make your dream of a new life in the United States a reality.
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