A statement issued by the US State Department on 1 April said that the presidential proclamation which temporarily stopped people holding some visas for non-immigrants from entering the US had ended on 31 March.

The ban was put in place by former president Donald Trump through an executive order on 22 June 2020. The stopping of new H-1B visas, which are predominantly used by foreign technology industry workers, was slammed by the IT industry at the time.

The other suspended work visa was the H-4, which is used by the spouses of some people on H-1B visas, the H-2B for low-skilled workers, some J visas for cultural and education workers and the L-1 visa that allows intra-company transfers.

The State Department statement said: "Visa applicants who have not yet been interviewed or scheduled for an interview will have their applications prioritised and processed in accordance with existing phased resumption of visa services guidance.

"Visa applicants who were previously refused visas due to the restrictions of Presidential Proclamation 10052 may re-apply by submitting a new application including a new fee.

"The resumption of routine visa services, prioritised after services to US citizens, is occurring on a post-by-post basis, consistent with the Department’s guidance for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities."

About 85,000 people enter the US on H-1B visas each year to work in the country. Many of them are Indians who mostly work in the technology industry.