US Senate introduces bill to reform H-1B and L-1 visa programmes

A group of lawmakers in the US Senate have introduced a bipartisan legislation to regulate the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes for more transparency in the recruitment of international workers.

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In a bid to regulate the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes, a group of lawmakers in the US Senate have introduced a bipartisan legislation. The move is expected to enable more transparency in the onboarding of foreign workers.

The H-1B visa enable American companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The tech companies in the US depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

Whereas, the L-1 visa is issues to those individuals who are already employed by a company in another country, and who are merely relocating to an American office.

The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act will reduce fraud and abuse in the immigration system, offer protections for American workers and visa holders and will support more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers.

As per the proposal by legislation, the companies will be required to place new wage, recruitment and attestation in order to hire L-1 and H-1B workers. Additionally, the employers seeking to hire H-1B employees will be required to post those jobs on the Department of Labour (DOL) website.