H-1B Worker Pay Options During Pandemic Limited by Visa Rules

Companies across the U.S. are facing tough decisions as they pare down business and workers during the coronavirus pandemic, and those that employ high-skilled guestworkers face even fewer options if they want to keep those employees.

The H-1B program is one of only a few employment visa programs that requires approval of a labor certification application (LCA) from the Labor Department, and where wages are more strictly regulated. Those requirements mean that an employer of H-1B workers, E-3 professional workers from Australia, or H-1B1 specialty occupation workers from Chile and Singapore can’t reduce wages via a furlough or other option. ...