New H-1B Visa Rules: How Indian Techies Will be Affected

Washington: The US has announced multiple measures to "deter and detect" what it described as "fraud and abuse" of H-1B work visas, the most sought after by Indian IT firms and professionals.

It has indicated that the US government is going to be tough and stringent in approval of H-1B visas this year. Computer programmers may also find it difficult to procure the coveted work visas.

Here’s all you need to know about the latest on the H-1B visas:

- The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has started accepting applications for H-1B visas for the US fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017.

- The federal agency has indicated tough and stringent approval of H-1B visas this year

- The USCIS has announced a "more targeted approach" in site visits to the workplaces of H-1B petitioner companies

- It announced the launch of an email helpline against abuse and fraud of H-1B visas

- The US Justice Department has cautioned employers petitioning for H-1B visas to not discriminate against American workers

- It has recommended that people call a hotline to report any such discrimination

- Computer programmers no longer qualify as a specialist profession, making it difficult for them to procure an H-1B visa

- The US can issue 65,000 H-1B visas each year. A quota of another 20,000 is for applicants who completed their Masters or a higher degree from US universities

- Indian tech giants likely to be affected by the new rules include TCS, Wipro and Infosys among others