Any update on US visa reform?

whitegenocide

Back in August, the papers were reporting that there was a huge campaign underway in America to secure a new visa programme for the Irish, led by Irish-American lobbyist Ciarán Staunton. The successor to the Donnelly visa, if you will. I haven't heard anything about it since. I don't know a lot about the American political system and how bills pass the through Congress and the Senate so hopefully somebody more knowledgeable can update me. Is hope for a new batch of visas dead in the water?

cena

Would love to hear an update on this myself

duck_77

The bill has passed the senate but is stuck in GOP dominated Congress. There is a possibility that it will be split up based on comments by Obama in SF this week.

The bill for Ireland is not exactly for Green Cards for all but an E3 visa for anyone with a leaving cert. This is not a dual intent visa but allows you to work (with a job offer to get the visa I believe).

Here is the update on the bill: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s744

Mrs. ET

Does that mean like other visas you have to have a job before you move over or can you move without a visa in the hopes of getting a job when you're there??

duck_77

Based on the existing E3 visa for Australian citizens, yes. Here is a good article about it.

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Top-ten-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-E3-Schumer-visas-for-Irish-208986091.html

Also, here are the rules for current E3's but this will be changed for the Irish one. It is currently governed by H1B rules - with education / experience requirements. I assume the fees will not change, nor the labour certification requirements.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/FactSheet62/whdfs62Y.pdf