Members of the US House of Representatives have voted in favor of proposed changes to the system of work-related visas.

The decision will see the removal of annual caps on the number of immigration permits of this kind that can be issued that can see people wait long periods to receive documents.

It is expected to increase labor migration from certain nations, such as India and China, in addition to addressing skills shortages in a number of sectors, including IT and engineering.

Representatives voted 389 to 15 in favor of the move to scrap a ban on employment-related visas, or green cards, for a single nation exceeding seven per cent of all documents approved and changes to family-based limits.

Recent data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed there was a fall in jobless rates across 36 states and the District of Columbia over October this year and 40 states saw a year-on-year decline in the number of people out of work during the month.

Posted by Fiona Summers