Lok Sabha Question No. 359 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-17
Subject: Decline in H-1B Visa
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi, Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.359 FOR ANSWER ON 17.07.2019

## DECLINE IN H-1B VISA

- *359.    SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  approval  of  H-1B  visas  by  USA  declined  sharply  in 2018 as compared to the previous year and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  H-1B  visa  is  popular  among  highly  skilled  Indian  IT professionals;
- (c) if so; the details thereof and the number of such visas issued to Indians by USA during 2017 and 2018 separately;
- (d) the  extent  to  which  Indian    IT  professionals  have  been affected in getting jobs in USA under this visa;  and
- (e) whether the Government has taken up the matter with USA in this regard and if so, the details thereof and the response of the US Government thereto?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR]

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) to (E) OF THE LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO. 359 REGARDING 'DECLINE IN H-1B VISAS' FOR ANSWER ON 17.07.2019.

According to U.S. official data, the total number of H-1B visas issued by the U.S. in FY 2017 and FY 2018 was 179,049 and 179,660, respectively.

The  details  of  the  H-1B  visas  issued  to  Indian  nationals,  including  the share in total number of H-1B visas issued by the U.S. in recent years is given below:

| H-1B Visas                                 | FY 2012                          | FY 2013                          | FY 2014                          | FY 2015                          | FY 2016                          | FY 2017                          | FY 2018                          |
|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Issued to Indian nationals                 | 80,630                           | 99,705                           | 108,817                          | 119,952                          | 126,692                          | 129,097                          | 125,528                          |
| Total H-1B visas issued                    | 135,530                          | 153,223                          | 161,369                          | 172,748                          | 180,057                          | 179,049                          | 179,660                          |
| %share of visas issued to Indian nationals | 59.5%                            | 65.1%                            | 67.4%                            | 69.4%                            | 70.4%                            | 72.1%                            | 69.9%                            |
| Source: U.S. Department of State           | Source: U.S. Department of State | Source: U.S. Department of State | Source: U.S. Department of State | Source: U.S. Department of State | Source: U.S. Department of State | Source: U.S. Department of State | Source: U.S. Department of State |

The  above  statistics  show  that  Indian  nationals  have  received  between 67% to 72% of the total H-1B visas issued by the U.S. in the last five fiscal years. H-1B visa has played an important role in facilitating the movement of talented Indian professionals.

No  comprehensive  changes  have  been  made  to  the  U.S.  H-1B  visa programme  so  far.  The  U.S.  Government  has  adopted  certain  administrative measures with respect to the H-1B visa programme that have introduced greater scrutiny of H-1B applications and increased documentation requirements.

Government of India has closely consulted all stakeholders and engaged with the U.S. Administration and Congress on issues related to the movement of Indian professionals, including those pertaining to the H-1B programme. Most recently, issues of H-1B visa were raised during the visit of the U.S. Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo, to India on 26 June 2019. In our engagements, we have  emphasized  that  this  has  been  a  mutually-beneficial  partnership  which should be nurtured. Indian skilled professionals have contributed to the growth and  development  of  the  U.S.  economy  and  have  helped  the  U.S.  retain  its competitive  edge  and  innovation  advantage.  The  U.S.  side  has  valued  the contribution made by Indian nationals in the U.S..

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