[MarkMc]

> Many of those hired on H1B are doing roles for which they simply can't get local talent

So it's not just a way to get regular software developers at a cheap price? OK let's raise the minimum salary requirement for H1B visas to $120k.

[angry_octet]

In France its quite straight forward to get a skilled worker visa -- just earn more than 3100 Euros per month (~1.5 * average earnings in France). Shouldn't be a problem for tech workers.

(They are also introducing a 'tech startup visa' in the near future.)

[flukus]

1.5 * average earnings would still be below market for software developers.

[angry_octet]

True. There has been a significant increase in outsourcing in France in the last 5 years, but I don't know that it involves labour from lower wage countries. Obviously few Indians speak French, but there are many call centres outsourced to Senegal and other former French colonies. I think it is only a matter of time before ICT jobs migrate as well.

[vthallam]

Sure. A higher pay base sounds good, but how do you set the price to the location? 120K in SFO != 120K in Dallas(No state tax).

[thomasahle]

Or maybe something around the average software engineer pay scale of $80,000? What about student interns?

[kilotaras]

Student interns are not on H1B. It's J1 I believe.

[Eyas]

Exchange interns are J1, student interns in the US use their current F1 Visa with a CPT (Curricular Practical Training) permit for summer internship, or sometimes an OPT (Optional Practical Training) permit.

[dingdongding]

Student interns stay on whatever student visa they were on.