Trump may suspend H-1B, other visas: Report

The proposed suspension could extend into the government's new fiscal year beginning October 1.

US President Donald Trump is considering suspending a number of employment visas including the H-1B, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, in view of the massive unemployment in America due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a media report.

The proposed suspension could extend into the government's new fiscal year beginning October 1, when many new visas are issued, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, quoting unnamed administration officials.

That could bar any new H-1B holder outside the country from coming to work until the suspension is lifted, though visa holders already in the country are unlikely to be affected, the daily reported.

H-1B is the most coveted foreign work visas for technology professionals from India.

Such a decision by the Trump administration is likely to have an adverse impact on thousands of Indian IT professionals. Already a large number of Indians on the H-1B visas have lost their jobs and are headed back home during the coronavirus pandemic.

The White House, however, said that no final decision has been made and the administration is considering various proposals.

The administration is currently evaluating a wide range of options, formulated by career experts, to protect American workers and job seekers especially disadvantaged and underserved citizens but no decisions of any kind have been made, White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

Officials at leading IT companies told CNBC-TV18 that they have learned from lobbying firms a visa suspension is likely soon. The officials said they are given to understand that visas already given out for FY21 may not be affected, and that it would apply only on new visas to be given out this year.

IT firms are expecting visa renewals to be affected, but are prepared for that, as they have drastically reduced their dependence on H1B visas.

IT firms expect the suspension to be only temporary and see things returning to normal once the effects of the pandemic start ebbing.