PM raised H1-B visa issue for Indian with US President, says Central Govt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue of H1-B visa with President Barack Obama, while underlining the importance of ensuring access for Indian professionals in the United States, the government on Thursday said.

"During discussion on a range of bilateral issues with the US President during his visit to India in January 25, 2015, Prime Minister raised with the US President, the importance of ensuring easier access for Indian  professionals into the United States, including the issue of H1-B visa. The US President noted India's concerns in this regard," VK Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

The Obama administration on Tuesday announced that it was extending work authorisation to certain categories of H-4 visa holders effective May 26, 2015. Employers can now hire foreign workers under H-1B visas after proving there are no qualified candidates available in the US.

Related read: US H-1B Visa: Now spouses of visa holders to get work permits 

Each year about 85,000 visas are issued, mostly in tech firms. Until now, their spouses have been issued a different H-4 visa that made them ineligible to get a Social Security number.