Since 2016, this is the first time that the three visa categories, H-1B, L-1, and EB-5, are projected to see visa fee increases.
Beginning April 1, non-immigrant US visas such as H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 will face hefty fee increases. The reforms, which involve overhauls of visa services and may have an impact on immigration rules and international ties, are critical because they come before the presidential election. Here’s everything you should know.
H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 are the most common categories of visas utilized by Indians to enter the United States.
Since 2016, this is the first time that the three visa categories, H-1B, L-1, and EB-5, are projected to see visa fee increases.
The new fees for H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 visas will go into effect on April 1, the US revealed.
According to a recent federal statement from the Department of Homeland Security, “the fee adjustments, as well as changes to the forms and fee structures used by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will result in net costs, benefits, and transfer payments.”
How much are the expected fee hikes for H1B?
The new H-1B visa application fee, Form I-129, has been raised from USD 460 (about ₹38,000) to USD 780 (nearly ₹64,000. H-1B registration costs will increase from USD 10 (₹829) to USD 215 (almost ₹17,000) beginning next year. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that enables US firms to engage foreign workers in specialized occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Every year, technology businesses use it to hire tens of thousands of workers from countries like India and China.
How much do you expect to pay for an L1 visa today?
The price of an L-1 visa has risen from USD 460 (over ₹38,000) to USD 1,385 (over ₹1,10,000).
The United States designed the L-1 visa as a non-immigrant visa category for intra-company transfers. It allows multinational firms to temporarily relocate employees from their overseas sites to work in the United States.
How much are the anticipated fee hikes for EB-5?
EB-5 visa fees, often known as investor visas, have increased from USD 3,675 (over ₹3,00,000) to USD 11,160 (over ₹9,00,000).
The US government developed the EB-5 program in 1990, which permits high-net-worth foreign investors to get a US visa for themselves and their families by investing at least USD 5,000,000 in a US business that creates 10 jobs for American workers.