H-1B visas for skilled workers face an uncertain future following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The Indian government is calling for a role in the review to help shape H-1B visa reform.
The Indian government said it hopes the review will take into account the contribution of Indian companies to American business, reported the Business Standard.
IT secretary Aruna Sundararajan was quoted as saying the pressing concerns on visa changes were “premature.”
The US administration recently started its review. It has not taken any action to reduce the number of such work permits to Indian companies.
However, much of the rhetoric coming from the Trump administration has been in favor of restricting the supply of H-1B visas amid concerns the program is undercutting local workers.
Indian IT workers make up the vast majority of recipients of H-1B visas. Typically, India and China make up more than 80 percent of the visas applied for.
However, Sundararajan said just 17 percent of total U.S. visas go to Indian companies. She said a large number of American firms benefit from services provided by Indian enterprises. She said Indian companies added value.
H-1B Visa Reform is Proposed by Trump Administration
In April, President Donald Trump issued an executive order outlining a fundamental reform of the H-1B visa process by agency department heads.
We noted in our blog that the order was short on specifics but echoed Trump’s earlier criticism of the visas for skilled overseas workers.
Companies who hire overseas workers may have to pay more for H-1B visas in the long term and the review could see greater restrictions placed on outsourcing companies.
The present lottery system for visas may be replaced by a more merit-based immigration system, according to Trump.
The Business Standard report stated in response to the proposed tightening of the visa regime in the United States, Indian IT firms are increasing the hiring of locals in the US. The market accounts for almost 60 percent of India’s tech export revenues.
Recently, CNN reported the appeal of a high-tech job in the US remains undiminished in India, despite Trump’s policies. Applications to India’s elite Institutes of Technology are still at a high.
The direction of the H-1B visa reform will become clearer over the next year. In the present climate of uncertainty, it makes sense to hire an Austin family immigration lawyer if you are seeking H-1B visas for your skilled workers in certain areas. Please call us for a consultation at (512) 399-2311.