Proposed Changes to H-1B Visas

Businesses that engage certain foreign workers may have new requirements for obtaining H-1B visas that apply to specialty occupations. Changes would also apply to L-1 visas for intracompany transfers. Under the bipartisan bill called the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act (S. 979), the definition of specialty occupation would require at least a bachelor’s degree, with priority given to those with advance degrees. Employers would have to post a job for which an H-1B visa is being sought on a searchable website managed by the DOL, which would be accessible by U.S. workers and laid-off H-1B workers. #IdeaoftheDay