The Hindu Business Line : Rush for H-1B visas set to begin

New Delhi, March 31 Amid a concerted effort by American tech companies to increase the cap on visas for skilled professionals, the US is all set to start receiving, from April 1, applications for the coveted H-1B visas. The H-1B visa program is used by US businesses to employ foreign workers in occupations that require application of highly specialised knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or higher, including scientists, engineers, or computer programmers.

Industry watchers are anticipating a rush of H-1B petitions this week, despite concerns of a looming slowdown in the US. “I do not foresee any drop in demand for H-1B visas this year. This is because the skill shortage remains an issue and companies such as Microsoft have been urging the Congress to raise the H-1B limit, which currently pegged at 65,000,” a CII official said.

According to Ms Poorvi Chothani, founder of LawQuest and a US-licensed immigration attorney, “The filings will definitely exceed the 65,000 limit. However, the frenzy on the first day may be somewhat lower as companies can file their petitions between April 1 and 7, following which US would apply a random selection process.”

Tech firms including Microsoft and Oracle are stepping up efforts to have the cap on the H-1B quota raised. (Last year, H-1B visas were snapped up on the first day itself with USCIS receiving over 123,000 petitions for the 65,000 visas available).

UK Visa

Meanwhile, from April 1, highly skilled applicants from India would also be able to apply for their UK visa under the Points Based System (PBS), Tier 1. This replaces the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. PBS is the new system for managing migration for those wishing to enter the UK for work and study and is being introduced tier by tier. Under PBS, applicants would need sufficient points to qualify - points are awarded for criteria such as qualifications, previous earnings, age and UK experience. The British Government is rolling out Tier 1 in India first, and the rollout to the rest of the world would take place in summer, a release by British High Commission said.

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