DFA advises Pinoy H-1B visa holders to avoid unnecessary travel outside US

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday advised Filipino H-1B visa holders to avoid unnecessary travel outside the United States until Washington clarifies rules on re-entry.

US President Donald Trump recently signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000-fee for new applicants of the H-1B visa for skilled foreign workers. 

Trump also announced in a Sept. 19 statement a "restriction on entry of certain non-immigrant workers" to the US, citing abuse of the H-1B visa system by American employers.

"The recent proclamation restricting the entry of certain nonimmigrant workers to the United States has raised understandable concern among our kababayans," the DFA said in a statement.

Filipinos account for 1.3% of all H-1B visa holders and those already in the US will not be affected by the mandatory $100,000 visa fee, the DFA said.

However, should travel outside the US be unavoidable, the DFA encouraged Filipinos "to consult their employers in advance, as employers may be required to shoulder additional costs, such as the one-time fee of $100,000, when facilitating their employee’s re-entry."

Established in 1990 through legislation to address labor shortage, the H-1B program grants highly-skilled foreign workers temporary work status in the US, but not residency. 

Over the years, employers have sponsored visa holders under this category for permanent residency or so-called green cards, which is a step away from acquiring US citizenship.

"The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., together with our consulates general across the United States, is closely monitoring the implementation of this proclamation. We remain ready to provide guidance and assistance to our Filipino community as needed," the DFA said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News