A win-win situation

Arun Vakil

Immigration is a powerful political tool in the US and that probably explains the letters written by two US senators to India-based IT companies that rely on H-1B visas. However, it is surprising that the senators wrote directly to the Indian companies. Can an MP in India write a similar letter to an American company in India?

The Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) introduced last year, which sought to increase H-1B visas from 65,000 to 1.15 lakh, received a setback after the Congressional elections. However, on Friday, the US Senate reached a bi-partisan agreement on the broad contours of the reform though it it clear that “the last word on the subject had not been said”.

The senators’ letters should not be a matter of grave concern for the Indian techie. For the US continues to believe in skills of the youth, and Indian immigrants contribute immensely to that department. More than 1.3 lakh applications were filed this year for the allotted 65,000 H-1B visa, and Indians constitute more than half that number. I see here a win-win situation: skilled Indians will find well-paying jobs and the US will sustain its growth from areas such as IT.

There have been reports of some dubious operators taking contract workers on L-1 (intra-company transfer) visas and making them work for other companies in the US. These operators spoil the young Indian techie’s career and bring a bad name to the country as a whole.

The first rule for the young techie planning to go to the US is to locate an employer who provides direct employment and enjoys a good reputation. That does away with anxiety over wages and contract. It is expensive to make two trips to the US before a job, but it is always better to visit the US on a B-1 (tourist) visa and check out the employer before applying for the H-1B visa. The other option is to find a consultant with experience, credibility and an efficient network.

As for getting the green card, there could be some delays due to increased vigilance over allegations of illegal immigration, but the recent episode will not have a major impact. The thumb rule for getting the green card is to satisfy your employer. Almost nothing else matters.

Arun Vakil is author of Gateway to America and an expert on immigration to the US. He spoke to Arun Ram