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Microsoft Says Most H-1B Filings Covered Existing Employees
Microsoft explained how it used H-1B visa applications last year.
It said about four out of five applications were for people already working at Microsoft.
The other applications were for new workers who were already legally in the United States.
Microsoft said most of its US workers are Americans and that comparable workers are paid the same.
Separately, the US temporarily stopped eight technology companies from filing new applications in a green-card-related program.
Some of the companies named were Tata, Infosys, HCL and Wipro.
Nasscom said work visas and skilled workers moving between countries are different issues.
The news has created more uncertainty for Indian technology companies operating in the US.
Microsoft said about 80% of roughly 6,000 H-1B filings last fiscal year were to extend or change the status of current employees.
The company said its remaining filings were for new employees already legally in the United States.
Microsoft said most of its US employees are Americans and comparable H-1B employees receive the same pay as other employees.
The articles report that the US temporarily suspended eight technology firms, including Tata, Infosys, HCL and Wipro, from filing new PERM applications.
Nasscom said immigration and skilled-talent mobility are distinct issues; the move adds uncertainty for Indian IT firms in the US.
- Who
- Microsoft, Nasscom, and technology firms including Tata, Infosys, HCL and Wipro.
- What
- Microsoft described its H-1B filings, while the US temporarily suspended eight technology firms from filing new PERM applications.
- Where
- The United States.
- When
- Microsoft's figures cover the previous fiscal year; the US suspension was announced on the day described in the articles.
- Why
- Microsoft responded to claims about its H-1B use; Nasscom said the suspension affects a specific immigration pathway and is distinct from skilled-talent mobility.
Microsoft and Nasscom
Vance's claims and US action
Microsoft's H-1B filings
Microsoft and Nasscom
Microsoft said most filings concerned existing employees, that remaining new hires were already legally in the US, and that comparable H-1B employees receive equal pay.
Vance's claims and US action
The second article says Vice President J D Vance alleged misuse of the system; the supplied articles do not detail his specific arguments.
Immigration and skilled-talent mobility
Microsoft and Nasscom
Nasscom said immigration and skilled-talent mobility are distinct issues that should not be viewed through the same lens.
Vance's claims and US action
The US temporarily suspended eight technology firms from filing new PERM applications, affecting a specific permanent-residency pathway.
Key facts
- Microsoft H-1B filings
- Approximately 6,000 in the previous fiscal year.
- Filings for existing employees
- Microsoft said 80% were to extend or change current employees' status.
- Other filings
- Microsoft said these were for new employees already legally in the United States.
- PERM suspension
- The US temporarily suspended eight technology firms from filing new applications under the Permanent Labour Certification programme.
- Companies named
- Tata, Infosys, HCL and Wipro were among the firms identified.
- Industry scale and market
- The article describes Indian IT as a $300 billion industry and the US as its biggest market.
Quotes
Microsoft
Technology company responding to claims about its H-1B visa filings
“For example, of the approximately 6,000 H-1B visa applications we submitted in the last fiscal year, 80 per cent were to extend or change the status of existing Microsoft employees. These were not to hire new people.”
businesstoday.in
“While the decision affects a specific immigration pathway, Nasscom has consistently maintained that immigration and skilled talent mobility are two distinct issues that should not be viewed through the same lens.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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