Key Points
In a significant development, an overhaul of H-1B fees has crossed the final step before the rule's official publication..
The proposed changes, outlined in a draft fee rule by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services last year, bring notable adjustments to fees associated with temporary and permanent work visas..
Particularly, the registration fees for H-1B specialty occupation visas are expected to rise to $215, reflecting a 40% increase for applicants across various categories..
The original proposal, introduced in January 2023 as the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), suggested substantial increments in fees for various visa-related applications...
For sponsors filing H-1B visa applications, the proposed fees indicated substantial hikes, including a surge in E-registration costs for the annual H-1B cap lottery from $10 to $215, seemingly aimed at deterring lottery misuse..
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US visa fee hike postponed, now likely in April 2024
12, Dec, 23E-registrations for the annual H-1B cap lottery typically occur in March. The proposed E-registration fee increase, from $10 to $215, aimed to deter misuse of the lottery system. With the delay in publishing the final regulation, the H-1B cap applications for the 2024-25 season are unlikely to be subject to higher fees.
US may hike the fee for a critical H-1B visa step by 2050% in 2024; make green cards applications costlier
09, Dec, 23While the USCIS contends that these fee adjustments are essential for sustaining agency operations, many immigration attorneys anticipate only minor tweaks to the proposed fees. With the need for funding pressing, there is a consensus among legal professionals that some adjustments are likely, but the overall fee structure may see implementation.