United States Senators moved a bill to increase H1B visas quota

Two United States Senators moved a bill on Thursday to increase the annual quota of H1B visas for applicants seeking jobs in the country. The bill, intended to bring world's "best and brightest talent", also seeks to extend working permits for the spouses and the children of H1B visa holders. The bill comes in wake of speculations that the US may end decades-old policy of allowing the wives of H1B visa holders to work.

Introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch and Jeff Flake, the Immigration Innovation (I-Squared) Act of 2018 also allows the visa holders to change their jobs without losing their legal status. In a joint statement, both legislators emphasised that America is witnessing shortage of skilled workers and bill is intended to fill the gap between demand and supply.

The bill also seeking to remove caps on existing limit of 20,000 for holders of US master's degrees or higher from the annual numerical limitation on H 1B visas for individuals whose green cards are being sponsored.