Infosys has strengthened its internal processes in the wake of the controversy around its usage of the B-1 visa, a business visitor visa issued by the US government. The firm is facing a federal grand jury probe after an US employee of the company filed a lawsuit alleging misuse. Infosys has been accused of using the cheaper B-1 visa programme to send employees for long term work ? H-1B is the appropriate visa for long-term work and is more difficult to get.
The firm has now tightened documentation of the visa process following an audit by an US-based legal firm. Only employees of Grade V and above are now allowed to travel on the B-1 visa. Grade V is a managerial position.
The firm has also mandated that no employee traveling on this visa category can stay beyond 45 days in the US. Employees also need to sign a policy document on the B-1 visa before travelling, sources added.?
Officially, the company?s executives were tightlipped on the visa controversy since the matter was subjudice. ?Whatever we have done on the visa process is part of our normal activities. We do this frequently for various reasons. We look at various processes in B-1. We look at best practices across the industry. We look at any new interpretations. If we need to strengthen the processes, we implement it,? COO and CEO designate SD Shibulal told FE. The firm, sources said, has already incurred an expense of more than $1.5 million on legal expenses fighting Jack Palmer?s charges.