Microsoft applies for fewer H1-B visas

Washington, Apr 2: This year Indian Techies will face fewer passes to their dreamland, Microsoft. Bearing the brunt of economic crisis and recession, Microsoft has filed fewer H1-B applications this year. The number of applications have been reduced to half and there are speculations that other companies of the IT industry will do the same.

As a result of economic slowdown the number of opening, hires and therefore the need for visas have fallen. There has also been a legislation taken up in the United States that will ensure more Americans are hired over foreign nationals. This legislation is supported by senators like Charles Grassley, a Republican, and Richard Durbin, a Democrat. This adds to the worrisome state of Indian Techies.

Other studies show findings contrary to the popular belief that Indians are taking up majority of the jobs in America. For instance, the 12,180 new H-1B visa holders hired by Indian companies in 2008 represented 0.0083 per cent of the US labor force, which is a small fraction of 1/100th of 1 per cent.

OneIndia News