US Visa Fees Rise: H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 Costs Surge, Effective April 1 - In a significant development regarding visa services in the United States, the fees for various non-immigrant visas such as H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 have been substantially increased. This move comes ahead of the crucial Presidential Elections, signaling notable changes in visa policies. Notably, these visa categories are commonly utilized by Indians seeking immigration to the US. This marks the first fee hike for H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 visas since 2016. The heightened fees are set to take effect from April 1, as confirmed by US authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security stated in its federal notification that the adjustments in fees, along with alterations to forms and fee structures used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will have implications on net costs, benefits, and transfer payments.

What is H1B visa?

H-1B Visa: This non-immigrant visa permits US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. It is particularly crucial for technology companies, which rely on it to recruit thousands of employees annually from countries like India and China.

EB-5 Program: Initiated by the US government in 1990, the EB-5 program allows high-net-worth foreign investors to secure a US visa for themselves and their families by investing a minimum of USD 500,000 in a US business, thereby aiding in the creation of 10 jobs for American workers.

L-1 Visa: This non-immigrant visa category is tailored for intracompany transferees, enabling multinational corporations to temporarily transfer certain employees from their overseas offices to work in the US.

Details of Fee Increases:

The application fee for new H-1B visas (form I-129) has surged from USD 460 (approximately Rs. 38,000) to USD 780 (approximately Rs. 64,000). Additionally, the registration fee for H-1B has increased from USD 10 (Rs. 829) to USD 215 (approximately Rs. 17,000), effective next year.
The fee for L-1 visas has been raised from USD 460 (approximately Rs. 38,000) to USD 1,385 (approximately Rs. 110,000).
EB-5 visa fees, also known as investor visas, have skyrocketed from USD 3,675 (approximately Rs. 300,000) to USD 11,160 (approximately Rs. 900,000).

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