BANGALORE/NEW DELHI: An indignant Indian software industry has accused the United States of trying to rob Peter to pay Paul after the Senate passed a bill to fund American border security with a steep increase in the fees for the work visas that tech firms use.
The bill, introduced by Democratic senators Chuck Schumer and Claire McCaskil on late Thursday, proposes to raise funds for the $600 million US-Mexico border security by doubling the price for each H-1B work permit.
This will increase the annual visa cost for India's $50 billion outsourcing industry by $200-250 million annually, according to Nasscom.
"It's discriminatory and odd that the Indian IT industry has to go and subsidise the Mexican borders," said Som Mittal, president of Nasscom. "We already pay over $1 billion in social security annually for which we do not get any benefits," Mr Mittal said.
From around $2,000 being paid for each H-1B permit, Indian tech firms will have to pay $4,500 for new visas and $4,000 for visa renewals.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/travel/visa-power/US-doubles-H-1B-fee-to-fund-border-policing/articleshow/6267918.cms
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