what will you do!

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Expatriate ~ US Visa Restricted Ripple September 7 17:53

"Suspending foreigners at risk in the US labor market" In

late June, the Trump administration in the United States suddenly declared and decided to suspend issuing some work visas until the end of the year.

The influence has spread widely to Japanese companies, and there are also disagreements from within the United States at the knees.

(Misa Fujii, Reporter, International Department)

Management loses control

"Honestly, I was very surprised, and I was busy talking to the Japanese headquarters."

Katsuhiro Ishikawa, a local subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries in Georgia, speaks openly about the feelings at the time the declaration was announced.

This is because out of about 120 employees, 5 expatriates from the head office are using the visa called "L-1", which has been suspended.

It is said that some employees are unable to return to their home countries due to the suspension of issuance and are unable to return home.

Each of the five is in charge of sales and technology, and it is a position that no one can miss.

However, if this situation continues, some employees may be forced to return to Japan without waiting for their successors because their visas expire in the winter.

President Ishikawa

"To accurately explain the latest Japanese technology to American employees, expatriates are indispensable. If the current situation continues for a long time, there will be no expatriates, and in fact management will not be lost. I'm concerned."

Concerns spread to many companies

There are four major types of visas that were suspended this time.

"H-1B visa"... Technicians/professionals such as IT

"H-2B visa"... Seasonal workers (excluding agriculture)

"L visa"... Intra-company transfer (transfer of local corporation, etc.)

"J visa" Some... Interns, teachers, etc.

The White House said in a statement that American workers were exposed to employment competition from foreign workers, saying, "In the recession caused by the new coronavirus, certain visas are Poses an extraordinary threat to the employment of workers".

The issuance is suspended until the end of the year, but it may be extended if necessary.

In a survey conducted immediately after the announcement by JETRO=Japan External Trade Organization, 308 Japanese-affiliated companies answered that the suspension of visa issuance would hinder the assignment of expatriates, which is more than 30% of the total.

About 1,400 people will be affected.

There were also voices saying "there are not enough staff at the local office" and "the transfer plan went mad", and there were also serious voices saying "it is necessary to consider reducing the scale of the business."

Even for visas that are not eligible...

The impact extends to visas not subject to suspension.

Anfuku Rubber Co., Ltd., an auto parts manufacturer in Kobe, has plants in Georgia and Nebraska, USA, and supplies rubber parts to major Japanese auto manufacturers.

This summer, as economic activity resumed in the United States and orders are recovering, he obtained a visa that was not subject to suspension and tried to increase the number of persons in charge of supervising the site.

However, due to the spread of the infection, I could not do the necessary interviews at the US embassies and consulates in Japan, so I had to give up my visa.

Immediately, I sent an employee in August for a short-term entry using the electronic travel authorization system = ESTA, but this method allows me to stay for less than 90 days and not be able to work as the person in charge of the local factory.

Even so, he decided to send him the latest local information.

President Oda

"There are many uncertain factors, so I dispatched an employee from Japan to conduct a field survey. The problem with visa is that I can only do what the group can do."

Since July, US embassies and consulates have been restarting services for some visas that are not subject to suspension.

However, there are many applications and it takes time.

"We are doing our best, but the number we can handle is very limited," the embassy explains.

Concerns from within the U.S.

This time's measures are to protect the employment of Americans.

However, in the current situation where it is difficult for human resources from overseas to enter, some American companies are complaining.

Duolingo, a startup company headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA, mainly deals with apps for learning foreign languages.

Of the more than 300 employees, about 20% are foreigners, mainly engineers, who use working visas such as the suspended H-1B.

I feel a sense of danger that if the suspension of issuance is prolonged, we will be forced to take measures such as establishing a base in Canada.

Christine Rogers Reach

"Our company was originally established by two immigrants in the United States and now brings 300 jobs to the United States. The policy of "protecting American jobs" is , In fact, it's producing the opposite result, and companies like us that are actively accepting foreign talent will have to look to other countries for talented people. It will be a long-term problem for America."

These voices are not a minority opinion.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a statement, "In order for companies to secure the necessary labor force, it is essential to acquire human resources from inside and outside the country. The policy that prohibits the entry of workers is It undermines growth and job creation."

Depending on the result of the presidential election...

The spread of the new coronavirus makes it difficult to cross borders around the world, and the movement of tourists and business people is widely affected.

The measures taken by the United States have been designed to put more restrictions on entry, with the protection of domestic employment as a shield, but there are concerns and confusion from inside and outside the country.

There are many views that the suspension of visa is intended to help the Trump administration increase its domestic approval rating for the US presidential election in November.

For this reason, JETRO believes it may change depending on the outcome of the presidential election.

Companies are likely to need to keep up with the latest moves for some time.

International Department Reporter

Misaki Fujii

Joined in 2009.

After going through the Akita, Kanazawa and Sendai stations, he has been in the international department since summer 2019.

Mainly in charge of America