U.S. Senate Bill for doubling H-1B visa, easier Green Card

BANGALORE, INDIA: It is learnt that a bipartisan group of top US Senators has introduced a legislation in the Senate aimed to bring about changes in immigration norms, which include doubling of H-1B visa cap and establishing a market-based escalator.

The other proposed measures include recapturing of unused Green Card numbers, eliminating country cap and recommending a series of new provisions to provide legal permanent residency to talented and brilliant immigrant workers, reported PTI.

Introduced by Senators Marco Rubio, Orrin Hatch, Amy Klobuchar, The Immigration Innovation (I2) Act of 2013 proposes to increase H-1B cap from 65,000 to 115,000 and establish a market-based H-1B escalator, so that the cap can adjust to the demands of the economy, the report suggested.

Apparently, the bill includes a 300,000 ceiling on the ability of the escalator to move and in case the cap is reached in the first 45 days when petitions may be filed, an additional 20,000 H-1B visas would be made available immediately.

If it is hit in the first 60 days, an additional 15,000 H-1B visas are said to be made available immediately and if the cap is hit in the first 90 days, 10,000 H-1B visas would be added and made available immediately.

In case the cap is hit during the 185-day period ending on the 275th day, on which petitions may be filed, and additional 5,000 H-1B will be made available immediately, the bill proposes and calls for uncapping the existing US advanced degree exemption (currently limited to 20,000 per year), stated the report.