To tackle a shortage of skilled workers anticipated from the Chips and Science Act, the U.S. Economic Innovation Group (EIG) is suggesting changes to the H-1B Visa program. Current flaws include a lottery system not aligned with industry needs, a 65,000 visa cap, and a 7% cap per nation, affecting STEM-rich countries like China and India.
The proposed ‘Chipmakers’ Visas aim to issue 10,000 annually with a quick path to Green Cards. Quarterly auctions of 2,500 visas would ensure swift allocation to qualified firms. This 5-year renewable visa provides certainty for U.S. investors and includes fees for training American workers and domestic scholarships.
A pilot program from the U.S. State Department allows eligible H-1B holders to renew visas within the U.S., addressing some challenges. Without these reforms, the Semiconductor Industry Association warns of a potential shortage of 67,000 employees by 2030.”
H-1B Visa, Skilled Workers, U.S. Immigration, Visa System Improvement, Work Visa Update