H-1B visas help expand tech workforce

When companies have difficulty filling specialized positions, applying for an H-1B visa to temporarily employ a highly skilled foreign professional is a smart and practical solution.

The visa, created in 1952, allows a foreign worker who has theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields like math, engineering, medicine and computer programming to work for a U.S. employer for up to six years (the visa is good for three years, but can be extended once).

Often, companies petition for the visa when hiring new professionals, to…