Warner, Kaine back bill for visas for highly-skilled Korean workers

Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are co-sponsoring legislation to provide up to 15,000 visas annually for Koreans with specialized skills that are lacking in the U.S. labor market. The bill, introduced by Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., addresses a gap in the U.S. free trade agreement with Korea, which unlike similar agreements negotiated before 2003 did not specifically address visas.

“Smart reforms in the high-skill visa program will help Virginia businesses struggling to find qualified individuals to fill open positions,” Warner said. “This bipartisan approach will help Virginia businesses fill this labor gap, and it also will strengthen existing strong, bilateral ties between the United States and Korea.”

Kaine said the legislation will provide direct benefits to Virginia’s high tech firms.

 “With continued inaction from the House on comprehensive immigration reform legislation that includes much-needed visa provisions, we must take alternative steps to attract skilled workers from around the globe,” he said.

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