City techs saw H-1B visa curbs coming

Turn their sights on countries like New Zealand and Australia instead

The US Senate's vote to amend H-1B visa rules hasn't taken IT professionals in the city by surprise though they think it will hit US aspirants hard.

The amendment will make it difficult for firms receiving funds under the Troubled Assets Relief Programme (TARP) to hire H-1B visa workers. The firms will have to operate as an H-1B dependent company which means they will have to recruit American workers and not displace them with H-1B visa holders. They cannot replace laid-off American workers with foreign workers either.

"I have never tried hard to go to the US and not thought of it seriously. But if the option was laid before me, I would have surely taken it. Now with these rules, maybe I could consider going to New Zealand," said Sweekar P, a techie.

Let's go!

Ajit Nathaniel also feels that it will affect US aspirants. "Most of the H1-B users work for technology companies that are contractors/subcontractors to companies needing this money. I'm not sure if this applies just to bonafide employees or the employees of contractors as well. Anyway, it will surely affect US aspirants," he said.

Kunal Sahai wants to move to Australia. "I feel the scope and growth is better in Australia now. I once wanted to go to the US, but with so many restrictions, I think it is better I put my efforts somewhere else," he said.