The US Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to introduce a new fee of $103,265 for certain H-1B visa petitions that are subject to the annual cap.
The proposed fee would apply to cap-subject H-1B applications, including petitions for people with advanced degrees. It would be charged in addition to the other fees that employers already have to pay when filing H-1B petitions.
Major Increase in Visa Costs
The proposed fee would represent a major increase in the cost of hiring foreign workers through the H-1B program.
The H-1B visa is widely used by US companies to employ skilled workers in areas such as technology, engineering, healthcare, research, and other specialised fields. Many international professionals use the program to work in the United States.
Under the proposed plan, employers would have to consider the additional cost before submitting eligible petitions.
Advanced-Degree Applicants Included
The proposal would also cover H-1B petitions for applicants who have advanced degrees and qualify for the special allocation within the annual H-1B cap.
This could affect companies that regularly hire highly educated foreign professionals. Employers may need to review their recruitment plans and budgets if the proposed fee takes effect.
Existing Fees Would Still Apply
The new charge would not replace the fees already associated with H-1B applications. Instead, it would be added to the existing costs.
Employers already pay several fees when submitting H-1B petitions. The proposed $103,265 charge would therefore significantly increase the overall cost of some applications.
Possible Impact on Employers and Workers
The proposal could have a major impact on companies that depend on the H-1B program to fill specialised positions.
Smaller companies may find the additional cost particularly difficult to manage. Some employers could reconsider hiring foreign workers if the total cost of obtaining an H-1B visa becomes too high.
For international workers, the change could also affect their chances of being sponsored by US employers.
What Happens Next?
The proposal is expected to attract significant attention from employers, immigration groups, technology companies, and foreign professionals.
The Department of Homeland Security will need to follow the required process before any new fee becomes effective. Until the proposal is formally implemented, employers should continue to follow the existing H-1B filing rules and fee requirements.
If the proposed charge is introduced, it could become one of the biggest changes to the cost of the H-1B visa system and could significantly influence how US companies recruit skilled workers from abroad.