The quota of high-tech visas available in the US could be increased to reach 200,000 under a scheme proposed by US Senate Democrats. Under the scheme, foreign-born students who have studied in the US could stay on and work after earning their masters or doctorate degrees. The current annual quota of 115,000 H1-B technical visas began to be issued on October 1 and is expected to be used up by January or February of next year. Last year’s quota was used up by August. Congress has delayed a decision to increase the quota of H1-Bs until next year. Currently the plan is to reduce the quota to 107,000 in the next fiscal year, and down further to 65,000 in the following year. Meanwhile, however, demand continues to grow. The proposed new type of temporary visas, dubbed the tech visa or T visa, would be available to students with job offers worth $60,000 a year or more.
