US Proposes Heavy Hike in Immigration Fees including H-1B Visas

The Biden administration is planning for a massive hike in immigration fees. It means the fees for much sought-after H-1B visas for high-skilled Indian tech professionals will also be hiked.

The proposed hike in immigration fees was published by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday. According to it the application for the H-1B visa increases from USD 460 to USD 780, and L-1 from USD 460 to USD 1,385. The application fee for O-1 visas has been proposed to increase from USD 460 to USD 1,055.

US companies employ foreign workers including those from India in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise through the H-1B non-immigrant visa.

The proposed rule is now on a 60-day public opposition period. It is expected to be enforced after this period.

The USCIS generally publishes a fee rule biennially and proposes these changes to account for the expansion of humanitarian programs.