President Obama has announced that the L-1B visa process will be streamlined in order to attract more foreign workers. The new process will make it easier for the U.S. companies to hire foreign workers. The President stated that his administration’s L-1B reform will attract foreign investment, at the SelectUSA Summit in Washington DC.
The L-1B visa category allows corporations to temporarily transfer workers from their foreign offices to the offices in the U.S. The President’s L-1B visa reform will benefit several nonimmigrant workers. It will also benefit the U.S. companies and in turn benefit the economy of the country.
The President said that he wants to make the visa process simple and attractive for foreigners to start businesses in the country. He also said that the visa reform will benefit global companies. However, the President did not mention when the L-1B visa process will be reformed. According to President Obama, the other thing that will make the U.S. more attractive and that will grow the economy is comprehensive immigration reform.
According to the National Foundation for American Policy’s study, 56 percent of L-1B visa applications filed by Indians were recently denied. Other countries that faced high refusals include Canada, China and Britain. The President’s L-1B reform is a boost for Indian IT workers as they will now be able to get L-1B visas easily. This visa reform will help more Indian technology professionals immigrate to the U.S.
However, they need to be eligible for these visas. Under the new rules for L-1B visas, applicants need to prove that they have worked for their companies abroad at least for a year. They need to have specialized knowledge and skills that can improve their companies competitiveness.
According to USCIS, the new L-1B policy memorandum will take effect on August 31, 2015.
