[CodeMage]

No. The US labor and immigration laws are intended to make sure immigrant labor doesn't pose an unfair competition to US labor. In theory, this should protect both immigrants (from being exploited) and US citizens (from unfair competition).

Unfortunately, this doesn't work as well in practice: the fact that the H-1B is completely tied to a particular employer makes it the modern equivalent of indentured servitude and the H-4 makes things worse by not allowing your family members to work.

[pedrosorio]

http://www.immihelp.com/visas/h1b/h1-transfer.html

[CodeMage]

Here's an excerpt from your link:

Therefore, when people say "H1 transfer", it is actually just a new H-1B petition, all over again, without the restriction of the H-1B cap.

So the only thing this allows you is to skip the cap. Every other bit of bureaucracy is still there.

[pedrosorio]

You forgot to mention the excerpts that describe how the previous employer doesn't have to intervene in any way and that the employee may start working for the new employer as soon as they get the receipt notice.

Granted there is some bureaucracy (which is largely handled by lawyers hired by the new employer, as it should be), and as with any bureaucratic system there is always a (low) probability of (unwarranted) rejection.

The H-1B is a far cry from "the modern equivalent of indentured servitude". I wonder how many "free men" wouldn't love to be "modern indentured servants" while getting paid 6 figures (and unlike the 18th century version, without being subject to physical punishment and having the opportunity to leave whenever they desire).

I agree wholeheartedly with your statement about the H-4, that's just sad.

[raverbashing]

I've heard from some people on H1Bs it was easy to transfer from one company to another.

Not sure how it happened, but maybe it's not so hard after all (especially if they lawyer up)