Outsourcing firms set to demand US visas for foreign workers during recovery
November 03 2009 by Liam Clifford
US economy said to be improving as the number of applications for US H-1B visas increases.
The number of outsourcing firms applying for H-1B visas for
foreign workers is expected to increase in line with the recovery of the US
economy.
Outsourcing firms are currently the highly skilled US work visa scheme’s top users and they claim the dip in demand that is currently being
experienced in the US will not last.
Peter Bendor-Samuel, the founder of
outsourcing consultancy Everest Group, said, “unless we are heading into a Great
Depression, pressure on the H-1B visa program will increase as the economy
rebounds.” He continued, "it's almost impossible for me to believe demand will
lessen long term. I find it mildly surprising there are some extras left
now."
The impending retirement of skilled workers currently working in
the US, along with a greater number of foreign students studying in the US for
subjects including maths and science, are both factors that will lead to an
increase in H-1B petitions.
Indian technology firms are especially keen
to use the US skilled work visas to enable their staff to travel back and forth
to the US to consult on major projects. Som Mittal, from trade group NASSCOM,
supported Bendor-Samuel's comments, claiming “the reduction in applications is
completely linked to the economic downturn. I think that as the economy turns
around, the cap will again be reached quickly."
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