4 ms·

How does it add to the local talent pool? The visa is given to the company, not the programmer, so it's not like the programmer can suddenly work for another l

How does it add to the local talent pool? The visa is given to the company, not the programmer, so it's not like the programmer can suddenly work for another local company. I'm interested to hear your argument about adding to the local talent pool and how you would have just "walked next door" unless the next company had an open h1b position.

eshvk 13y ago
An H1B is transferable to a different company. It is not that hard to do. Of course, if OP was applying for a new H1B, it gets harder.
manishsharan 13y ago
Visa is granted to the foreigner. The employer has to pass some sort of qualifying regulations and job opening must be first offered to residents and citizens. Once the foreigner has the visa , he /she can transfer it to any local qualified job posting. I would also like to point out that an H1b hire should be the last resort for most employers ; there is very little cost savings and the legal fees eats into that. Not to mention that once you hire an H1B , the native employees often feel ill at ease and will typically demand a raise. Team cohesion will be at risk. The H1B hire must have enough talent to justify all the hassle. If an employer just wants to get work done for cheap, they should simply outsource tasks to Elance or oDesk.
- wavefunction 13y ago
  If the H1B visa was granted to you the individual, you could just go work for a new company without the new company having to sponsor a petition or without you having to file an emergency extension if your employer decided to let you go suddenly. My main point is that the h1B system treats you like a second class resident at the whims of corporations, contrary to its stated claims to just exist to bring in talented individuals to fill positions that cannot otherwise be filled by locals. I certainly agree with the "should" you've posted, but I get contacted by companies looking for people to do PHP for $12 an hour. Sure it's maybe an ok option for some person from another country with more limited opportunities, but it ultimately hurts all of us by weakening our collective bargaining position vs the outsourcers.

eshvk 13y ago

An H1B is transferable to a different company. It is not that hard to do. Of course, if OP was applying for a new H1B, it gets harder.

manishsharan 13y ago

Visa is granted to the foreigner. The employer has to pass some sort of qualifying regulations and job opening must be first offered to residents and citizens. Once the foreigner has the visa , he /she can transfer it to any local qualified job posting. I would also like to point out that an H1b hire should be the last resort for most employers ; there is very little cost savings and the legal fees eats into that. Not to mention that once you hire an H1B , the native employees often feel ill at ease and will typically demand a raise. Team cohesion will be at risk. The H1B hire must have enough talent to justify all the hassle. If an employer just wants to get work done for cheap, they should simply outsource tasks to Elance or oDesk.

wavefunction 13y ago
If the H1B visa was granted to you the individual, you could just go work for a new company without the new company having to sponsor a petition or without you having to file an emergency extension if your employer decided to let you go suddenly. My main point is that the h1B system treats you like a second class resident at the whims of corporations, contrary to its stated claims to just exist to bring in talented individuals to fill positions that cannot otherwise be filled by locals. I certainly agree with the "should" you've posted, but I get contacted by companies looking for people to do PHP for $12 an hour. Sure it's maybe an ok option for some person from another country with more limited opportunities, but it ultimately hurts all of us by weakening our collective bargaining position vs the outsourcers.