Thu, May 12, 2005

New visas offer US jobs

MORE than 10,000 Australians will have the chance to work in the US each year under a new visa that eases restrictions on working in that country.

The special E-3 visa will allow 10,500 Australian professional or business people to temporarily work and live in the US more than 10 times the present number.

Trade Minister Mark Vaile says the new visa will be a great help for Australian businesses, allowing them to capitalise on work opportunities in the US.

“Its a clear indication of the trust and respect between the two business communities and the two governments,” he said.

US immigration law website Visalaw.com described the work permit as one of the most attractive visas in US immigration law.

Mr Vaile denied it was a thank-you from the US for Australias role in the war in Iraq.

Immigration specialists believe the permit will help companies that have had difficulties winning permission for Australians to work in their US operations.

Up until now, Australians have had to battle it out with others for a standard two-year business visa, which has an annual global cap of 65,000 permits.

Last year, only 900 Australians obtained the visa, known as the H1-B.