US House approves bill seeking faster green cards for Indian tech professionals
01 Dec 2011
In a move that could see more highly skilled immigrants from India and China obtain green cards faster, the US House of Representatives has passed a bill that seeks to modify the current visa regime.
The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigration Act, seeking elimination of per-country caps on employment-based visas and instituting a first come, first served system, received support from a broad section of representatives across both parties. The act was passed in the House with a vote of 389-15 yesterday.
The bill is now expected to pass through the Senate smoothly.
Under current immigration law, issuance of employment-based green cards is aimed at restricting permanent residence for citizens from any one country to 7 per cent of the total green cards approved by the State Department in any particular year.
Under the rule, it is easier for applicants from smaller countries that do not generate a significant number of applications to obtain a green card than applicants from big countries that provide most of the foreign tech workers sought by companies.
Indian tech professionals, seeking immigration to the US, often have to wait up to 10 years for a green card due to the per-country cap.
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