Salon.com Technology | Tech downturn doesn't slow H-1B visas Tech downturn doesn't slow H-1B visas

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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jan. 27, 2002 | SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) --
U.S. demand for visas to hire skilled foreign workers rose last year despite an economic downturn that prompted companies in various industries to lay off more than 1 million workers.
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Why you can't find a decent job even with your specialized skillset.
U.S. companies and other groups applied for 342,035 H-1B work visas in 2001, up 14 percent from 2000, before the economy tumbled. The H-1B visa is a six-year visa used for bringing skilled foreign workers in sectors that have shortages of qualified U.S. workers. About half the H-1B visas the U.S. government grants each year are for computer related jobs. About half go to people from India. China is a far second.