Infosys, India’s second largest outsourcer, set aside $35 million from its reserve between July-September of the current fiscal year (FY14) to fight a legal case in the US on its alleged misuse of B-1 visas in the past reports Profit NDTV.
The US immigration authorities issue B-1 visas for short-term visitors to go to business seminars and restricts them from undertaking paid employment during their stay.
A district court in Texas, however, served a legal notice May 23, 2011 on the alleged misuse of B-1 visa rules by Infosys.
Chaninat and Leeds specialize in Thailand Business Law
In a regulatory filing in June 2011, the company acknowledged that any action by the US government against it would badly damage its business in the North America market, which comprises for about 60 per cent of its export revenue.
The visa fraud allegations were made by its former US employee Jack Palmer, who filed a lawsuit in an Alabama court in February 2011, accusing the company of visa fraud, alleging,
“The company asked me to sign on documents, which said workers were heading to the US to have meetings rather than to work there, which he claimed was done to ‘creatively’ overcome H1-B”.
US Immigration Lawyer in Thailand, Joe Leeds has stated that S B1 and B2 visas have becoming increasingly difficult for foreign nationals to acquire, including Thai nationals. For all Thai B1 and B2 visa applicants, an interview at the US Embassy is required for those aged 14 – 79, without exception. Further, all males aged between 16-45 must complete and submit form DS 157, requiring further information about the applicant’s past history and travel plans.
Read the full report here
Flickr photo credit: Marcus Povey
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