H-1B visa program might become more costly.
A report published by Politico has revealed that the Trump administration is lobbying internally with the Department of Justice for the overhaul of the H-1B visa program.
According to the report, the White House is proposing major changes to the existing H-1B program to so that it complies with the “Buy American, Hire American” executive order of Donald Trump.
The report said that the federal government is considering pressurizing the companies seeking H-1B visas to first advertise the job via US-based online portals before it is notified to foreigners. The government is also reportedly contemplating on reducing the existing visa cap and reducing the duration of the stay of H-1B visa holders.
If such changes are introduced the H-1B visa program will become more costly and the number of companies seeking foreign skilled professionals will take a direct hit.
The report also hinted that the government is also thinking of bringing in other regulations including forcing H-1B employers to furnish report every six month about the work profile of the foreign workers.
The report also said that the government might impose additional impediments to cut the number of “optional practical training”, which currently allows STEM graduates to work in the US for three years after graduation.
Last month, Trump had signed an executive order Buy American, Hire American to end the visa abuse by asking the federal agencies to review the existing H-1B visa norms that allow highly skilled foreign immigrants to work in the US.