Tech Support Companies Optimistic About H-1B Visa Program Overhaul
Several trends shaped the tech support industry in 2017, including the rise of messaging apps for tech support and the increasing use of Al and chatbots for customer support. Industry experts are saying customer identity and access management (CIAM), augmented reality, and predictive analytics will shape this New Year. Now, attention has shifted to the new bipartisan plan for reforming the H-1B visa program.
The hope is that this reformation will be better for the tech industry than its predecessor. The H-1B program is a temporary (nonimmigrant) U.S. visa that allows U.S. employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. According to the American Immigration Council, jobs such as engineering, mathematics and technology often qualify. The initial duration of a H-1B visa is three years, which can be extended for a maximum of six years.
The expectation is that the bill by Californian Republican, Rep. Darrel Issa, will make some improvements that will help level the playing field for tech firms. Not just for giants like Google and Apple, but for the new entrepreneur and his or her tech startup. In general, these businesses have been struggling – and continue to struggle – to attract skilled workers in a tight labor market.
This program is especially important in places like the Bay Area. According to a 2017 report by Silicon Valley Leadership Group, an estimated 57 out of every 100 jobs in the region requiring a bachelor’s degree (or more) is filled by an individual not born in the U.S. Times Record News describes the situation: “Some outsourcing companies hiring workers for jobs in the United States use loopholes in the law to snag thousands of the limited number of visas. They then hire foreign workers at lower pay, often at the expense of U.S. workers.”
Unfortunately, tech companies are … Continue reading >>>