Immigration fees for the United States is likely to increase in 2024.
Earlier this year, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a proposal on immigration services fees and modifications to certain other immigration benefits. The proposal recommends raising fees charged by US immigration authorities multi-fold.
USCIS had proposed a significant increase in immigration filing fees in January 2023 with the public comment period ending on 13 March 2023. Amidst criticism, the implementation of the said hike has been deferred, which is now expected to be finalized in early 2024.
If implemented, the suggested fee increases would have a big impact on a lot of different immigration categories. Notably, there may be a startling 2050% increase in the H-1B e-registration fee, from $10 to $215. It is also planned to raise the petition fee for an H-1B visa application from $460 to $780, a 70% increase. Further, the immigration fee changes will also affect applications for the green card, which allows a person to live and work in the United States under permanent residency.
Such a hike is going to have financial implications for Indian visa aspirants and employers sponsoring these visas. Higher fees can increase the overall cost of the visa application process, impacting both individuals and companies. This can also include costs associated with the initial petition, extensions, and other related processes.
The proposed rule will impact employers that sponsor foreign workers and may affect the recruitment strategy in the coming days. Indian visa applicants already face high costs for other immigration-related services, such as medical examinations and visa application fees. The proposed H-1B fee hikes would add to the already burgeoning financial burden, making it even more challenging for some to pursue the visa.
Here is everything you need to know about the proposed changes
For the most sought-after H1-B visa, the USCIS has proposed to raise the pre-registration fee from the current $10 to $215.
The H-1B visa allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in speciality occupations in fields such as technology, science, engineering, and mathematics.
The H-1B pre-registration fee is charged at the time of registration, and it is typically paid by the employer or their authorised representative. The $10 registration fee was introduced in 2019 and it is separate from the H-1B petition filing fee. USCIS requires the registration fee regardless of whether the potential petitioner’s registration is selected.
The new proposal also includes a 70% increase in the petition fee for an H-1B visa application, up from current $460 to a $780. Additionally, the application fees for citizenship may also increase by 19 per cent, from the current $640 to $760.
According to US immigration authorities, the proposed hikes are aimed at addressing revenue challenges faced by USCIS, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
USCIS conducted a comprehensive biennial fee review and determined that its costs have increased considerably since its previous fee adjustment due to expanded humanitarian programs, higher demand, increased processing times, and a need for more USCIS employees. USCIS cannot maintain adequate service levels with the effects of the budget cuts and its current level of spending without lasting impacts on operations