Move to drop fee increase in H1B visa programme welcomed
High tech industry bodies have welcomed the move to drop a hefty $3500 fee increase in the H1B visa programme, which would also benefit Indian professionals seeking jobs in the US.
By PTI |
WASHINGTON: High tech industry bodies have welcomed the move to drop a hefty $3500 fee increase in the H1B visa programme, which would also benefit Indian professionals seeking jobs in the US.
Hailing the move, they said the US must retain top talent from around the world to retain America's economic leadership.
The US Senate had approved the Sanders-Grassley Amendment that sought to increase the H1B skilled worker visa fees to $5000 as part of the appropriations dealing with the departments of Labour, Health and Human Services, Education for 2008 but conferees of the Congress dropped the measure as the House version of the Bill did not have the particular provision.
The House and the Senate conferees removed the H1B hike prior to the Bill reaching the White House. The fee hike was intended to provide additional scholarships for US students.
"We are grateful that conferees recognised that the Grassley/Sanders amendment was a tax on America's innovation economy, and was a counterproductive and punitive measure," said Robert Hoffman, Vice President for Government and Public Affairs, Oracle.
Hailing the move, they said the US must retain top talent from around the world to retain America's economic leadership.
The US Senate had approved the Sanders-Grassley Amendment that sought to increase the H1B skilled worker visa fees to $5000 as part of the appropriations dealing with the departments of Labour, Health and Human Services, Education for 2008 but conferees of the Congress dropped the measure as the House version of the Bill did not have the particular provision.
The House and the Senate conferees removed the H1B hike prior to the Bill reaching the White House. The fee hike was intended to provide additional scholarships for US students.
"We are grateful that conferees recognised that the Grassley/Sanders amendment was a tax on America's innovation economy, and was a counterproductive and punitive measure," said Robert Hoffman, Vice President for Government and Public Affairs, Oracle.
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