Nasscom welcomes H1B, L1 visa relaxations; remains ‘cautiously optimistic’

IT industry body Nasscom on Thursday said it is “cautiously optimistic” about the exemptions offered in the H-1B and L-1 travel ban. However, it welcomed the move as it could help US businesses access talent critical to economic recovery post-Covid-19.

The industry body said there are caveats in the US Department of State’s (DoS) guidance about seniority, unique and significant contributions and other factors that go along with the exceptions that allow leeway in the interpretation of the new guidance. “Its impact can only be gauged in course of time,” Nasscom said in a statement.

“We believe this is a step in the right direction and encourages the implementing agencies to ensure that US businesses’ access to critical talent is not hampered,” it added.