Trying to save H1-B, H-4 visas: Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi: After Indian efforts and interactions with members of the US Congress (Parliament), as many as 130 members of the US Congress have written a letter to US President Donald Trump asking him not to revoke H-4 visas (that allow spouses of H1-B visa holders to work legally in the country) on the grounds that the American economy will be hit by it, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday.

“This is not just for H-4, I am also talking of H1-B visa as well. We are making a three-pronged effort to save these visas. We are talking to the White House, we are talking to the (US) state adminstration, and we are also talking to (US) Congressmen .... ,” Ms. Swaraj said.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in  speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialised fields.

The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year. According to some estimates, the US issues 85,000 H1-B visas every year out of which Indians reportedly get about 60,000 visas.

According to reports from the US, the Trump administration is planning to end the Obama-era  rule under which spouses of H1-B visa holders are given work permit or H-4 visa, a move that could affect more than 70,000 such visa holders. A significantly large number of  these H-4 visa holders are high- skilled professionals from India.

Addressing her annual press conference on Monday, Ms. Swaraj, when asked about the US plan,  said it was true that President Donald Trump was reviewing the H-4 visa programme. This comes amid reports of its possible revocation.

“We are trying our best to save H1-B visas, H4 visas. But America is a sovereign country. Ultimately they have to decide,” she said.