How Restricted is the Job Mobility of Skilled Temporary Work Visa Holders?

33 Pages Posted: 19 Jun 2017 Last revised: 17 Apr 2022

See all articles by Jennifer Hunt

Jennifer Hunt

McGill University - Department of Economics; Rutgers University; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute of Labor Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Date Written: June 2017

Abstract

Using the National Survey of College Graduates, I investigate the degree to which holders of temporary work visas in the United States are mobile between employers. Holders of temporary work visas either have legal restrictions on their ability to change employers (particularly holders of intra-company transferee visas, L-1s) or may be reluctant to leave an employer who has sponsored them for permanent residence (particularly holders of specialty worker visas, H-1Bs). I find that the voluntary job changing rate is similar for temporary visa holders and natives with similar characteristics. For the minority of temporary workers who receive permanent residence, there is a considerable spike in voluntary moving upon receipt of permanent residence, suggesting mobility is reduced during the application period by about 20%. My analysis of reasons for moving suggests that applicants are prepared to pay a small but not large professional price for permanent access to the U.S. labor market.

Suggested Citation

Hunt, Jennifer and Hunt, Jennifer, How Restricted is the Job Mobility of Skilled Temporary Work Visa Holders? (June 2017). NBER Working Paper No. w23529, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2988750

Jennifer Hunt (Contact Author)

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