From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Various visas mentioned
Mains level: NA
The need for H-1B visas will continue to exist till the ‘talent challenge’ is tackled globally, even though the information technology industry has successfully adopted the work-from-home model amid pandemic-related travel restrictions.
Various US Visa Programs
1) H-1B visa
What is it: The H-1B visa category covers individuals who “work in a speciality occupation, engage in cooperative research and development projects administered by the US Department of Defense or are fashion models that have national or international acclaim and recognition.”
Who’s covered: The H-1B is most well known as a visa for skilled tech workers, but other industries, like health care and the media, also use these visas.
2) H-2B visa
What it is: According to USCIS, the H-2B program allows US employers or agents “to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs.”
Who’s covered: They generally apply to seasonal workers in industries like landscaping, forestry, hospitality and construction.
3) J-1 visa
What it is: The J-1 visa is an exchange visitor visa for individuals approved to participate in work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs in the United States.
Who’s covered: The impacted people include interns, trainees, teachers, camp counsellors, au pairs and participants in summer work travel programs.
4) L-1 visa
What it is: The L1 Visa is reserved for managerial or executive professionals transferring to the US from within the same company, or a subsidiary of it. The L1 Visa can also be used for a foreign company opening up US operations.
Who’s covered: Within the L1 Visa, there are two subsidiary types of visas
- L1A visa for managers and executives.
- L1B visa for those with specialized knowledge.
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