A new study has been released pointing to the benefits of expanding the United States’ H-1B visa policy.
Let’s first discuss the H-1B: The H-1B is a visa in the US that allows US employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.
An H-1B worker’s spouse and children can accompany the worker to the US by obtaining H-4 visas, which are not visas that allow them to work in the US.
The study found, however, that most H-1B visa holders are married to skilled workers. The problem is that most of them only have H-4 visas.
To be allowed to work, these spouses need to wait for their H-1B spouses being on queue for a permanent visa, which would then allow them to apply for employment authorization. This can be a wait that takes years.
In the study of the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), the US H-1B rules were compared to equivalent rules in Canada, and found that it could lead to a brain drain for the US.
This is because under Canada rules, all spouses of skilled workers are also granted work authorization.
A change in policy to allow spouses to work, according to the study, would mean economic benefits for American businesses.
“Research has shown that the H-1B visa category boosts US economic growth, creates jobs for American workers, and slows offshoring of high-paid jobs. Extending work eligibility to the spouses of H-1B visa holders would help the United States garner more of the economic benefits that skilled foreign workers create,” the study said.
For advice on H-1B visas and work authorizations, consult a trusted immigration lawyer.
