After IT firms, US lawmakers put H-1B screws on academia

visas are snapped up by tech companies. According to data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services, seven of the 10 largest users of H-1B visas are tech firms, including Tata Consultancy Services Ltd and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.

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Institutes corner a tiny share of H-1B visas.

(ISTOCKPHOTO)

can be renewed for up to six years. The US government approves 65,000 H-IB visas cumulatively for all companies in a year. Another 20,000 visas are approved for foreign professionals who graduate with a master’s degree or a doctorate from an American institute.

But while IT services companies must abide by the 65,000 cap, universities who hire H-IB workers for postdoctoral, research, and faculty roles are considered cap-exempt.