As soon as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the quota for H1-B visa [a non-immigrant visa category that allows U.S. companies and universities to temporarily employ foreign workers who have the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree] was met on the first day (April 2) for accepting applications, Chinese students in the United States vented theirs feelings, ranging from disbelief, frustration and worry to anger, on the Internet.
On the popular message board, MITBBS.com, the discussion heated up quickly as the number of messages increased. Some Internet users jokingly posted “Looking for citizen spouse” notices, while a few resorted to supernatural powers. But with the present economic growth in China, many Chinese students said that their prospects are better in their native country.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officially announced the news about the H1-B visa quota around 6 p.m. on April 2. But many immigration lawyers learned about announcement as early as 2 p.m. and posted it on MITBBS.com. For many Chinese students, their high hopes for a visa crashed at the last minute with the USCIS announcement.
For those who have not submitted their H1-B applications, it is already too late. In fact, even those who put in an application on time, they have only a one-third chance of getting the H1-B visa.
Worrying that they won’t be able to work legally in the United States, some Chinese students suggested to rally publicly “as the non-status immigrants” did. Others suggested petitioning the congress to pass the “Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007, which will increase H1-B quota.
They also have harsh words for head-hunters, whom they claimed to have used up the quota by getting a visa for many less qualified foreign workers. Others held out their hope that big companies, like Microsoft and HP-Hewlett, will lobby for a higher H1-B quota since they have a strong need for professional foreign workers.
Then there were the “half-joking, half-serious” posts. Quite a few advertised to “find a spouse who has legal status.” These posts generally preferred U.S. citizens, but would settle for F1 or working visa.
An Internet user even advertised that he possessed some super powers and can increase the chance of being accepted for those who already put in an application. According to the post, for $1000 the applicant can buy an incense burning urn and increase the chance of getting a visa by 5 percent. An additional $1000 will increase the chance by another 3 percent.
Another Internet user also suggested to establish a “virtual reality temple” and registered it as a company so to qualify for an investment visa.
But the majority of Chinese students said that not getting a H1-B visa is not “the end of the world” because, with their education and qualification, everyone can go back to China and find a better job. This sentiment is a new sign of the opportunity created by China’s recent economic growth.
