Julio 2, 2015
Large Increase in Applications for H1-B Visas
In April, US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it received a 35% increase in H1-B visa applications for fiscal year 2016 (which starts in October 2015).
More than 233,000 foreign workers applied for H1-B visas–nearly double the number of applicants that applied two years ago. The United States government will grant only 65,000 visas in 2015, with 20,000 of those visas reserved for people with Master’s degrees. Only slighty more than one in three were selected, meaning that the majority of applicants had their cases rejected due to the large amount of applications.
Did you want to obtain a H1-B visa? There are some alternatives routes through which non-U.S. citizens can be legally employed in the U.S.
- OPT. OPT is a work authorization for students with F-1 visas. To be eligible for OPT, the student must have been enrolled in an academic program in the U.S. for at least 9 months. OPT authorization allows the student to work in her or his field of study for up to 12 months after graduating. For more información about how to apply for OPT authorization, click here.
- L-1 Visa. The L-1 visa is for people who work for international companies with offices outside the U.S. The L-1 visa allows a person who works for at least 3 years in an office outside of the U.S. to transfer to the company’s U.S.-based office or open an office in the U.S. The duration of the visa can vary between 3 months and 7 years, depending on several factors. For more information, click here.
- O-1 Visas. These visas are offered to workers with outstanding abilities. Generally, the person has to provide proof of their special ability. The proof could include: national or international awards and recognitions for outstanding ability in their specialty; membership in associations in their specialty; publications, etc. For more information, click here.
Problems with H1-B visa
The H1-B program has been plagued with many problems regarding fraud and labor abuses. Be careful! Many workers have reported unjust or non existent salaries, terrible working conditions, and other basic rights violations. Inform and protect yourself! Consult Contratados.org before you accept an offer to work with an H1-B visa.
Have you worked in the United States with a H-1B visa? Have you experienced fraud in the labor recruitment process? Share a comment about your employer or recruiter and help build a movement for informed labor migration!
Photo: Gerald Nino/CPB - U.S. Customs and Border Protection.