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The US could soon be doubling the number of work visas for skilled IT specialists wishing to work in the country. The Senate committee has approved one part of a controversial immigration bill concerning H-1B visas.
The committee passed the bill to change the number of H-1B visas from 65,000 per year to 115,000. It now only has to face the real challenge of being passed by Congress.
The H-1B visas allow foreigners to live and work in the US for six years. The new legislation would also remove the cap on F-4 visas for students studying advanced university degrees in certain fields. Upon graduation, these students can apply for permanent residence once finding a place of employment in their selected field of expertise.
The proposals have received a lot of support from hi-tech companies in Silicon Valley which claim that they cannot find enough qualified IT staff now that the economy has improved.
