In what could be a cause of worry for Indian IT professionals, two US Senators have introduced amendments to the economic stimulus bill, which if passed would prevent US companies receiving the federal bailout money, from hiring H-1B visa holders.
The Trump administration is reportedly moving ahead with its decision not to give work permits to the spouses of H-1B visa-holders, arguing that this displaces genuine American workers.
But Indian information technology workers might do better without the companies that held them back, says Mihir S Sharma.
"To ensure a fair and orderly distribution of available H-1B visas, USCIS will deny or revoke multiple petitions filed by an employer for the same H-1B worker and will not refund the filing fees submitted with multiple or duplicative petitions," the US Citizenship and Immigration Services said. The USCIS has sent the interim final rule for publication in the Federal Register for it becoming effective.
US to start accepting H-1B petitions from April 1.
The controversy over visas for high-skilled workers from abroad is about to get hotter. H-1B visa program was set up to allow firms in US to import the best in technology, engineering, and other fields when such workers are in short supply in America. But data released by the federal government show that offshore outsourcing firms, particularly from India, dominate the list of companies awarded H-1B visas in 2007.
Former Massachusetts Gover Mitt Romney has said that while he is for increasing the quota for H1B visa, a majority of whose aspirants are Indians, the exact figures would depend on a number of things including the strength of the US economy and the implications for the local workforce.
The USCIS said this year it expects to receive more than 65,000 petitions.
Making a case for revising the H1B visas upwards, the US Commerce Secretary has said high-tech businesses are facing shortages in filling up positions
Travel companies are expecting a heavy rush to the US following the withdrawal of curbs on fully vaccinated travellers from select countries, including India, on November 8. The move will benefit those holding long-term tourist, business, and work visas. Also, new and extra flights by Air India and American Airlines are expected to provide better travel options.
Now, these spouses can be employed in the United States while on an H-4 visa. In many cases, these spouses will now begin working or starting their own companies
'USCIS has been making arbitrary rules for over eight years, it's our top priority to set things right.'
US visa expert Dr Arun Vakil explains how to apply for a US work visa.
The US state department, which issued the revised travel advisory, on Wednesday said that the exemptions have been given under the national interest category.
US Congress is planning to further tighten provisions on the visas giving employers less flexibility in using them and making them a riskier bet for foreign employees seeking a long-term future in America.
If elected, Trump said he would take action against companies that replace American workers.
Indian IT industry veterans believe lack of maturity from the political leadership may have helped people in the US to take advantages.
While companies having fewer visa holders in the US seem to be less exposed to rising protectionism, most front-line IT stocks are trading at attractive levels and, to a large extent, factor in near-term headwinds.
US President-elect Joe Biden plans to increase the number of high-skilled visas, including H-1B, and eliminate the limit on employment-based visas by country, both of which are expected to benefit tens of thousands of Indian professionals impacted by some immigration policies of the outgoing Trump administration.
Wrapping up his four-day state visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that a new and proud journey of India-US ties has begun and the world is watching the two great democracies strengthening their bond.
WH said they are expected to set forth a vision that will expand the bilateral partnership
Sikka said since more and more of the work is now becoming automated, the Indian IT companies need to focus much more on the innovative areas and on the new areas.
Canada and Mexico emerge as preferred destinations to service clients in the US; east Europe and Nordic nations are favoured alternatives
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The immigration bill, from the US point of view, is going to bring in much more talent to the US, which is desirable aid, said economist Arvind Subramanian.
High visa processing fees, social security issues and the decision by Administrative Appeals Office to reapply for H1B on location change make life tougher for highly skilled professionals from India, Nasscom chief BVR Mohan Reddy tells Ritu Jha/Rediff.com
'It is not that the H1B visa employees are coming in to displace jobs.'
The Congress on its Twitter handle also criticised Modi's US visit.
Software services industry may have to relook its cost structure to maintain a higher margin.
Experts said this would not only reduce Infosys' dependence on the H1B visa, which has seen increased restrictions under the current US administration. It will also help the company in building an employee pyramid for its future operations.
The US government should not only look at salary, but also focus on skills while making immigration reforms
To increase local talent mix in the US like their major peer Infosys
H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa, which allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in speciality occupations
Let's fix the system, end the abuses but make sure we recognise the role of immigrants in creating jobs: Khanna.
The single greatest empowerment to our economic growth as we continue to move towards three per cent or four per cent GDP growth will be the resources that we need to fill hi-tech jobs, advanced degrees, advanced analytics, science and research: Senator Thom Tillis.
The money generated, expected to be more than a billion dollar per annum, would be used to fund a biometric entry and exit tracking system
The proposed overhaul of popular H-1B visa regime may result in higher operational costs and shortage of skilled workers for the $110-billion Indian outsourcing industry.
The bill proposes to increase the H-1B visa fees to about $5,000 per application.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on the fifth day of its deliberations that included 300 amendments to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill -- Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act -- passed it by 13-5 votes.
A copy of the letter dated February 29 was released to the media.
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