USCIS Considers Monumental Hike in H-1B Visa Fees Up to 2050%, Green Card Applications Also Face Surge
In a potential game-changer for U.S. immigration, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is mulling over a substantial fee increase for H1B workers, reaching an astonishing 2050%. Simultaneously, green card application costs are poised to skyrocket as USCIS tackles financial challenges heightened by the ongoing pandemic. The proposal, designed to address revenue challenges, has sparked controversy, drawing feedback from over 6000 entities during a two-month comment period.
The proposed fee rule is expected to be finalized by December or January 2024, with an effective date set 60-90 days thereafter. The primary goal is to bridge the gap in recovering the full cost of agency operations, a shortfall persisting since 2016.
A Breakdown of Current and Proposed Fees:
- H-1B E-registration Fee:
- Current: $10
- Proposed: $215 (2050% increase)
- Petition (Application) for an H-1B Visa:
- Current: $460
- Proposed: $780 (70% increase)
- Petition for an L Visa (Intra-Company Transfer):
- Current: $460
- Proposed: $1,385 (201% increase)
- Petition by an EB-5 Investor (Investment-Linked Green Card):
- Current: $3,675
- Proposed: $11,160 (204% increase)
- Petition by EB-5 Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (with Biometric Services):
- Current: $3,835
- Proposed: $9,525 (148% increase)
- Application for Employment Authorization (Online) – Online:
- Current: $410
- Proposed: $555 (35% increase)
- Application for Employment Authorization (Paper Filing):
- Current: $410
- Proposed: $650 (59% increase)
- Application to Adjust to Green Card Status (with Biometric Services):
- Current: $1,225
- Proposed: $1,540 (26% increase)
- Application for Citizenship (Online or Paper Filing):
- Current: $640
- Proposed: $760 (19% increase)
As USCIS grapples with fiscal challenges, the proposed fee hikes aim to align agency capacity with projected workloads and mitigate potential future backlogs in immigration processes. The implications of these proposed changes, if implemented, could significantly impact individuals and organizations navigating the intricate landscape of US immigration.
Source: Trak
