IT companies Infosys, TCS feel the pinch as US holds back L-1 visas - Economic Times

BANGALORE: For the first time in many years, the number of short-term US visas given to Indian professionals has declined, giving credence to complaints that America is making it difficult for software companies such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services to send employees to their biggest market.

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Approvals for L-1 visas, on which Indian software companies rely to send their most skilled professionals on assignments to the United States, were 28% lower at 25,898 in 2011, data from an independent public policy think tank based in the US show. On the other hand, such visa approvals rose by 15% for applicants from the rest of the world, leading to concerns that India is singled out for attention. Approvals for L-1 visas, on which Indian software companies rely to send their most skilled professionals on assignments to the United States, were 28% lower at 25,898 in 2011, data from an independent public policy think tank based in the US show. On the other hand, such visa approvals rose by 15% for applicants from the rest of the world, leading to concerns that India is singled out for attention. "This shows an enormous gap in visas issued as well as approval/denial rates between posts in India and the rest of the world, raising policy questions as to whether this great disparity is the result of a conscious policy at US posts in India," the National Foundation for American Policy wrote in its report.

IT companies Infosys, TCS feel the pinch as US holds back L-1 visas - Economic Times