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F-1 & H-1B visas to attract skilled workforce  PTI Feb 4, 2012,
01.17AM IST  WASHINGTON: Amidst pending comprehensive
immigration reform, the United States has proposed several steps
- including changes in the F-1 and H-1B visas - to attract
foreign skilled workforce, a move likely to benefit
professionals from countries like India.  Prominent among these
reforms include providing work authorisation for spouses of
certain H-1B visa holders, 17-month extension of optional
practical training (OPT) for F-1 international students to
include students with a prior degree in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics, allow for additional part-time
study for spouses of F-1 students and allow outstanding
professors and researchers to present a broader scope of
evidence of academic achievement.  In addition, the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that on February 22, it
would launch its 'Entrepreneurs in Residence' initiative with an
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