Nasscom flags US’ H- 1B visa proposals

New Delhi, Dec. 2: Nasscom has raised concerns over the US government’s latest proposal that will require H1- B visa seeking firms to electronically register their petitions in advance, saying this will lead to “uncertainties” and could put US jobs at risk.

The IT industry body, in a statement, said it will carefully review the 139page proposal and evaluate its implications for US companies and the economy, and then submit comments.

The Trump administration on Friday proposed major changes to the H- 1B application process, including a new rule requiring companies to electronically register their petitions in advance, aimed at awarding this popular American work visa to the most skilled and highest paid foreign workers.

“... there is not much time between now and when the next H- 1B lottery season opens in April 2019. Companies have already begun assessing their needs and planning their submissions for next year, so we are concerned about the uncertainties that could arise as the government seeks to implement another major change in the H- 1B process during that timeframe,” Nasscom said in a statement.

It added that it will review the proposal before submitting comments and “take other actions as appropriate to best ensure that the process makes sense, is fair, and does no harm”.