Washington: The United States has announced a significant increase in fees for various non-immigrant visas, effective from April 1, 2024. Among the impacted visas are the H-1B, L-1, and EB-5, widely utilized by individuals, especially from countries like India. The H-1B visa, essential for US technology companies hiring foreign workers with specialized skills, will see its application fee (I-129) rise from $460 to $780. Additionally, the L-1 visa, designed for intracompany transferees, will experience a fee increase from $460 to $1,385. The EB-5 investor visa fee will undergo a significant jump from $3,675 to $11,160.
This fee adjustment marks the first since 2016 and reflects the changing landscape of immigration policies in the United States. The H-1B visa, which plays a crucial role in the technology sector, has been subject to various reforms in recent years, and the fee hike is likely to impact both employers and skilled foreign workers. Similarly, the EB-5 program, aimed at high-net-worth investors seeking US visas, will see a substantial increase in the investment required for obtaining a visa.
The fee adjustments are part of broader changes to forms and fee structures used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Department of Homeland Security argues that these changes will reduce administrative burdens, processing errors, and align fees more accurately with the cost of providing immigration services. While the increases may pose challenges for businesses and individuals, the government asserts that the adjustments will lead to increased efficiency in the adjudicative process and better assessment of service costs, providing benefits in the long run.
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