The H-1B visa allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers. Although incoming President Trump previously criticised the visa, he has now come out in favour of the H-1B visa. His backtracking is causing division within the Republican party.
¿What is the H-1B visa?
The H-1B visa for the USA allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers. Although incoming President Trump previously criticised the visa, he has now come out in favour of the H-1B visa. His backtracking is causing division within the Republican party..
The H-1B visa is intended for persons in specialised occupations that require specific knowledge or skills. This type of visa was introduced to allow US companies to hire skilled employees from abroad who would not otherwise be able to stay in the United States. These may be doctors, photographic models or people working on US Department of Defence projects. Applicants for this type of visa must have completed at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent. The H-1B visa is mostly used by Silicon Valley IT companies that want to attract foreign workers.
The H-1B visa is essential for the United States.
According to many, the H-1B visa is essential for the US economy. One of the advocates of this visa is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and advisor to the next US president, Trump. According to the entrepreneur, the United States cannot do without foreign skilled labour. Musk, who is originally from South Africa, came to the US on an H-1B visa in the past, so he speaks from his own experience. According to Musk, the H-1B visa has been one of the driving forces behind the founding of Tesla and SpaceX.
H-1B visa disagreement
The next US president, Trump, has long kept a low profile on the H-1B visa. In the past, he was still critical of this type of visa and called it unfair to US workers. Now, however, Trump has stated that he fully supports the H-1B visa programme. He indicated that many H-1B visa holders also live on his property..
Not everyone in the United States welcomes the H-1B visa. According to opponents, this visa would hinder the curbing of immigration to the United States. They fear that immigrants on H-1B visas would take jobs that could also be filled by US citizens. Many supporters of Donald Trump also want the H-1B visa abolished. Maintaining or expanding the H-1B visa programme would run counter to the tough immigration policies Trump announced during his election campaign. In addition, opponents argue that tech giants are becoming too powerful thanks to this visa programme.
The difference between visa and ESTA
Travellers wishing to join a US company always need a visa. This may be an H-category visa or another type of work visa for the United States. Generally, business travellers do not need to apply for a US visa, but can use the ESTA. ESTA is a digital travel authorisation that can be easily applied for online. Travellers who meet the ESTA requirements do not need to make an appointment at the US consulate and can submit their ESTA application online.