(a) whether a large number of IT professional are migrating to America;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether a large number of requests for L-I visa of Indian Companies
have been rejected during 2011;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the action taken by the Government to address the issue?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)
(a) & (b) The Government is aware that several thousand Indian skilled professionals,
including IT professionals, visit United States every year to work for service
companies. According to the Press Release issued by the United States Embassy in
New Delhi on 25 October, 2011, 67,195 H-1B visas and more than 25,000 L-1 visas
were issued in India in US Fiscal 2011. No data is maintained of emigration
from India.
(c) & (d) A report compiled by an independent organization, the National Foundation
for American Policy in November 2011, stated that the L-1 visas issued by the
United States to Indians decline by 28% in U.S. Fiscal Year 2011 compared to U.S.
Fiscal Year 2010. The United States issued 25,898 L-1 visas to Indians in 2011
while 35,896 L-1 visas were issued in 2010.
(e) The Government uses every opportunity, including during trade related
meetings, to raise with the U.S. Government its concerns regarding visa
difficulties faced by Indian professionals.