H-1B For Students: US President Donald Trump increased the fee for H-1B visa to $1 lakh in September last year. Because of this, it became expensive for American companies to hire foreign workers. Due to this decision of the Trump government, small startups are suffering the most loss. At the same time, big tech companies have now deducted this fee, due to which foreign students studying in America are benefiting the most. Now it has become easier for them to get a job than before.

According to the report of Wall Street Journal, although big companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google are capable of paying new visa fees, but they are avoiding doing so. On the other hand, small companies have now H-1B visa Dependence on has been reduced. Small companies working in specialized areas like artificial intelligence and healthcare are the most troubled. They have no other option but to hire foreign workers on H-1B visa. These companies say that they should get some relief from the government.

What changes have occurred in H-1B visa?

In America, in sectors like tech, healthcare, finance foreign workers Hiring is done through H-1B visa. Every year 85 thousand new visas are issued, out of which 20 thousand are reserved for those foreign students who have a master’s degree or above from an American university. In September last year, the government not only increased the visa fees, but also changed the lottery system a few days ago. Till now, lottery system was used to grant this visa.

However, now priority will be given in granting visa to those people whose salary is higher. Big tech companies are also going to benefit from this, because they are known for paying higher salaries to their workers. Big tech companies file thousands of visa petitions every year.

How are big tech companies hiring?

‘Optional Practical Training’ for students studying in America (OPT) allows one to work for 12 months. If someone has taken a degree in a course related to ‘Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths’ (STEM), then he is given 3 years for job under STEM-OPT. Now big tech companies are hiring students directly instead of hiring on H-1B visa. They can also work for them comfortably for 3 years. In this way they do not even have to pay H-1B fees.

Experts say that if big tech companies are sponsoring someone for H-1B visa, then it is easier for them to get the visa. The main reason for this is the high salary given by them. Anyway, now priority is being given in granting visa to the person whose salary is higher. Not only this, if these companies wish, they can instead of calling foreign workers to America, they can also send them to their offices in other parts of the world for jobs.