Are you an Indian who is a wannabe emigrant to the United States who was hit by the news of revised rules of H-1B Visa? Your concern is but a matter of jubilation for someone else. The suspension of fresh non-immigrant visas by the US is expected to benefit the 3 lakh visa holders from India currently residing in the US. Sources in the government say the Donald Trump administration’s move on 22 June to stop new workers from entering the country till the end of this year may turn out to be more beneficial to the existing H-1B visa-holding Indians in the US.
The US has revised the rules for categories H-1B, H-2B, L-1A, L-1B, J-1 visas, disallowing people seeking entry on those visas into that country for the first time between 24 June and 31 December.
The government sources said US policy could result in the shortage of skilled workforce and the existing H-1B visa holding Indians can command higher remuneration and higher remittances. Studies by several organisations — like the Federal Reserve, National Academy of Sciences and Brookings Foundation — have shown that the contribution of non-immigrants have been invaluable for the US. However, due to the rising unemployment and weak economic conditions resulting from the global coronavirus pandemic, the US would sooner or later issue far fewer visas. Hence, the proclamation will have limited effect, sources said.
The US policy will cause a diversion of more services to India, sources said. They pointed out that the new policy would impose new challenges in the absence of local talent. Outsourcing will be inevitable, they said.
Sources said further that India would benefit from the retention of the highly skilled individuals, who were planning to leave for the US after receiving H-1B visas. These highly skilled individuals are in high demand in the science and technology sector in India. They can directly contribute to India’s progress by staying back, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said he was disappointed by US President Donald Trump’s proclamation that suspended work visas till the end of 2020, stating that Google will continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all.
“Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today. Disappointed by today’s proclamation – we’ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all,” Pichai tweeted.
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