US consulate denies H1B curtailment

The US Consulate today denied any curtailment of H1B visas to Indians. "Due to economic slowdown world over, the US Government has taken a decision to tie up its unemployment problem which is nine per cent. But, there was no significant change in visa policy," US Consulate General, Hyderabad, Cornelis M Keur said.

"We continue to issue H1B visas with little more scrutiny", Keur told reporters at 'Meet the Press' programme organised by Press Club Hyderabad. At the same time, the US Government has framed a policy for the companies to give preference to native Americans in employment, he added.

Obama administration has taken up a practical approach in establishing relations with the countries while there were efforts for strengthening relations with India because of the "Brain Borrowing", he said.

Making a special reference about the Andhraites whose presence can be marked in various fields in the US including IT, Keur said, "There are three million Indians in United States who are contributing to its prosperity."

The Hyderabad Consulate, the fourth in the country, was established due to the growing trade and development in the State in the fields of IT, Pharma and Biotechnology, he added.