The number of visa holders is expected to increase to more than 710,000 by 2002 if pending immigration bills pass Congress. With unemployment rates holding steady in the single digits, even small startups are aggressively moving their talent searches overseas in the never-ending battle to fill empty cubicles. But finding foreign talent is only the start. Without their employer's help, settling into a new country and a new job becomes a frustrating endeavor for both the worker and the company. Companies are quickly learning that hand-holding foreign hires is not only the right thing to do, it also helps workers become more productive and committed to the job.
Many workers coming from overseas are young, single and relatively inexperienced.
The average H-1B visa holder is a male Asian under 35, according to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. They've done little traveling and have Hollywood visions of what the United States is like. While they are extremely motivated and highly educated, most are ill-prepared for the reality of living in America. Madghis expected Silicon Valley to resemble the movie The Matrix , with tall, sleek buildings and a futuristic feel. He was dismayed to find that Silicon Valley was a sprawling area of rather ordinary homes, instead of the mansions and Mercedeses he had imagined.