Infosys gets subpoena from US court on visas

Amid controversies over its use of US business visas, Infosys today said an American court has sought documents and records related to the company's sponsorships and utilisation of B1 business visas.

The development comes at a time when Infosys is facing a lawsuit by a former employee Jack Palmer, alleging that he was asked by the firm to sign on documents which said workers were heading to the US to have meetings rather than to work there.

The country's second-largest software exporter said it has received a "subpoena" from a Grand Jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

"The subpoena requires that Infosys provide to the Grand Jury certain documents and records related to the company's sponsorships for, and uses of, B1 business visas," Infosys said in a statement.

It added that Infosys intends to comply with the subpoena and cooperate with the Grand Jury's investigation.

A subpoena is a writ issued by a court of justice requiring a person to appear before the court at a specified time.

Palmer in his lawsuit has also alleged that this was done to "creatively" overcome H1-B visa caps.

Recently, Infosys said its business could be adversely affected if the US decides to restrict the visa programme as a fallout of the case.

"In the event that the US government undertakes any actions which limit the B1 business visa programme or other visa programme that we utilise, this could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations," Infosys had said in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

B1 business visas are intended for short-term uses, such as consulting with business associates, attending business conventions or negotiating contracts.

H-1B visa, on the other hand, is a non-immigrant visa, which allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.