US relaxes H-1B norms for students

[psathishreddy]

I read this in Samachar.com. It was in HindustanTimes news paper. Does anyone know if it is true. I tried www.ins.gov for more informaiton but could not find any. Please let me know if you know any more information on this issue .....

News Paper Extract

Washington: The US Congress has passed a reforms bill, which exempts 20,000 foreign students, who pass out of universities in the country with Masters or doctorate degrees, from the annual cap on 65,000 H-1B visas given to foreigners seeking work in America.

The move would benefit several thousand students, including from India, who failed to figure on the list of 65,000 H-1B visas issued this year.

The legislation was sponsored yesterday by Senator Saxby Chambliss and co-sponsored by Senator Lamar Alexander, both Republicans.

The reforms bill exempt up to 20,000 Masters and Ph-D graduates of US universities from the annual 65,000 H-1B cap. "These workers comprise best of the best among the highly skilled professionals that are critical to US companies," Chambliss said.

"The bill ensures we build our competitive strength and keep jobs in the US," he said.


Satish

 

[Jim Mills]

I read this in Samachar.com. It was in HindustanTimes news paper. Does anyone know if it is true. I tried www.ins.gov for more informaiton but could not find any. Please let me know if you know any more information on this issue .....

News Paper Extract

Washington: The US Congress has passed a reforms bill, which exempts 20,000 foreign students, who pass out of universities in the country with Masters or doctorate degrees, from the annual cap on 65,000 H-1B visas given to foreigners seeking work in America.

The move would benefit several thousand students, including from India, who failed to figure on the list of 65,000 H-1B visas issued this year.

The legislation was sponsored yesterday by Senator Saxby Chambliss and co-sponsored by Senator Lamar Alexander, both Republicans.

The reforms bill exempt up to 20,000 Masters and Ph-D graduates of US universities from the annual 65,000 H-1B cap. "These workers comprise best of the best among the highly skilled professionals that are critical to US companies," Chambliss said.

"The bill ensures we build our competitive strength and keep jobs in the US," he said.


Satish

Yes, it is true. It also DRASTICALLY increases the H-1B filing fees to $2,185.00 (from $185.00) . This is still a bill but President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law in the next few weeks.

 

[hadron]

Interesting concept.

Sort of a 'H1b elite' program. If you sink enough money into getting a masters, we'll exempt you from the cap...
All the whining of US research universities seems to finally make a dent.