H-1B visa

The H-1B visa program allows American companies and universities to employ foreign scientists, engineers, programmers, and other professionals in the United States.

The maximum duration of the H-1B visa is six years (ten years for exceptional Defense Department project-related work). H-1B holders who want to continue to work in the U.S. after six years, but who have not obtained permanent residency status, must remain outside of the U.S. for one year before reapplying for another H-1B visa.

The program has been criticized domestically for allegedly displacing American workers, as a form of corporate welfare and by the source countries for encouraging brain drain. However, advocates claim the program (and similar ones operated by other technologically-advanced countries) provides an incentive for companies not to move their operations abroad. Earnings remitted by foreign workers are a major source of income for some developing countries, easing their burden of debt.

External links

• H-1B Special coverage from computerworld.com
• US Govt. information site on H-1B visa Program
• H-1B worker wins case

Anti-H-1B websites

• ZaZona
• Rescue American Jobs
• H-1B Info
• Norman Matloff