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Sanwar Ali workpermit.com
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By Sanwar Ali:
There are proposals to make the US H1B and L1 visa even more difficult to obtain. Lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at making major changes to the H-1B and L-1 work visa programs. This article discusses the key aspects of the proposed reforms, the differences between H1B and L1 visas, and the potential challenges in implementing these changes.
Proposed H1B Visa and L1 Visa Changes | H1B and L1 Visas | H1B Quota | L1 Visa Advantages | Challenges in Passing Legislation | Changes Unlikely | Alternative US Visas | Conclusion | Work Visa Assistance
Proposed H1B Visa and L1 Visa Changes
A group of influential lawmakers has proposed bipartisan legislation to make significant changes to the H-1B and L-1 visa programs in the United States. It is claimed that the proposed changes would increase transparency, reduce fraud and abuse, and prioritize the issuance of visas to highly skilled foreign workers, particularly those with advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
Key reforms include new wage, recruitment, and attestation requirements for employers hiring H-1B and L-1 workers. Employers will also be required to post H-1B job openings on the Department of Labor (DOL) website, and DOL will have the authority to place a fee on labor condition applications to hire an additional 200 DOL employees.
H1B and L1 Visas
H1B Visa
The H-1B visa is a popular work visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers with specialized knowledge. It has an annual cap or H1B quota of 65,000 for regular applications and an additional 20,000 for those with a master's degree or higher from a US institution.
L1 Visa
The L-1 visa, on the other hand, is issued to professionals already employed by a company in another country who are relocating to their US office. It is used for intra-company transfers and has no annual cap or quota.
H1B Quota
The H-1B visa has a strict annual cap which applies to most US employers, making it difficult for many businesses to obtain the visas they need to hire skilled foreign workers. The H-1B quota is heavily oversubscribed, with demand often exceeding the available visas. This has led to a lottery system being implemented, where applicants are randomly selected for the limited number of visas available.
L1 Visa Advantages
Unlike the H-1B visa, there is no quota for the L-1 visa, making it a more attractive option for companies looking to transfer employees from overseas offices to the US. This allows businesses to bypass the competitive and uncertain H-1B visa lottery system.
Challenges in Passing Legislation
Implementing the proposed changes to the H-1B and L-1 visa programs could prove difficult, as they would need to pass through the US Congress. This may be a challenging process, with potential opposition from various stakeholders, including businesses and immigration advocates.
Changes to H1B Visa and L1 Visa Unlikely
Given the challenges in passing the proposed legislation, significant changes to the H-1B and L-1 visa programs are unlikely to occur in reality. However, the heightened attention on these work visa programs could lead to increased scrutiny and enforcement of existing regulations.
Alternative US Visas
In the unlikely event that the proposed changes do come into effect, it may be worth considering other US visa options, such as the B1 visa, B2 visa, E2 visa, E1 visa, etc. These visas cater to different needs and requirements, including business visits, tourism, and treaty-based investments.
Conclusion
While the proposed changes to the H-1B and L-1 visa programs have the potential to impact US immigration policy, it remains very uncertain whether they will be implemented. It is difficult to pass US immigration legislation through Congress.
Popular US Work Visa by workpermit.com: L1, H1B, E2, and O1 Visas
There are various types of US visas that individuals can apply for, depending on their circumstances. Some of the most common employment-based visas include:
L1 visa: This visa is for intracompany transferees who work in managerial or executive positions or have specialized knowledge.
H1B visa: This visa is for specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields.
E2 visa: This visa is for investors who have made a significant investment in a US business and, management or essential skills employees. Only certain nationalities can apply.
O1 visa: This visa is for individuals with extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics.
Workpermit.com is a specialist visa services firm with over thirty years of experience dealing with visa applications. Contact us for further details. You can also telephone 0344 991 9222.
