The economic downturn in the United States has had a marked influence on the number of H-1B visas issued to foreign high-tech workers this year. The figure as of June 30th 2002 was 60,500, a number which is less than half of what it was at the same time last year. A significant percentage of H-1B visas are issued to Indian technology professionals.
The total numbers of allowed H-1B visas for this fiscal year which ends on September 30th is 195,000. Judging by the current rate, the final tally for 2002 will fall well short of the allowed number. Last year, the INS approved 163,200 H-1B visa petitions against the total allowed of 195,000. Although the maximum allowed was not reached, the number of H-1B visas issued still represented a record number.
The United States Congress raised the maximum allowed H-1B visas from 115,000 to 195,000 in fiscal year 2000. The figure will remain at 195,000 during fiscal 2003 but is scheduled to be sliced to 65,000 in 2004.
- nriol.com report
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