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H1B visa is one of the most procured visas by those who wish to work in the United States of America, for a specified period of time.
It is a non-immigrant visa that has been issued by the U.S, and allows companies in the States to employ workers from abroad, for occupations wherein technical expertise in certain subjects such as architecture, engineering, mathematics and science along with knowledge in other areas is required. Individuals will have to possess a bachelor’s degree at least, in order to procure this visa.
This visa will remain in status as long as the employee/employer relationship is in progress, irrespective of whether the individual is working full time or part time. Leaves can also be applied for. Individuals will have to apply for this visa and will also have to pay the required fee. As of 2016, there has been a slight increase in the fee that will have to be paid.
The table below will illustrate the fee that will have to be paid by workers for h1b visa and related applications for the year 2017.
| Type of Fee | Amount of Fee (in USD) | Other Details | Who pays for this and why |
| Basic Fee for Visa Filing | $325 | For all petitions | H1B sponsor or employer, as it is the employer who has hired the worker and wishes to bring him to the States. |
| AICWA or American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 fee | $750 $1500 | For employers who have 1-25 full time employees For employers who have 26 or more employees | H1B sponsor or employer, as it is their business expense. |
| Fraud Prevent and Detection Fee | $500 | Applies to new H1B and for Change of employer(s) petitions. | Employer, as it is their business expense and is mandated by the law. |
| Fee that is based on Public Law 114-113 | $4000 | Applicable only if more than half the employees are on L1 visa or H1B visa status | Employer, as it is their business expense and is mandated by the law. |
| Premium Processing fee (if needed urgently) | $1,225 | For quicker procurement of visa | Optional. In case it is borne by the employee, then the employer has to provide reasons for it. |
| Immigration Attorney Fee | $500-$3000 | Varies based on the attorney | Employer, as it is their business expense and is mandated by the law. |
| H1b visa stamping fees | Varies, depending on the country | This is for availing H1B visa at the US consulate | Employee as all costs needed to obtain visa such as credential translation will have to be borne by him/her. |
The h1b visa fees mentioned above are a general indication of the costs that are required for visa procurement. As is observed, procuring a visa does not just involve filling up a form and submitting it along with necessary documents, there are other legalities and fees involved. However, these prices may vary and individuals are requested to contact the USCIS or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for further details.
Read More About
H1B Visa for Dependent Employers
Difference Between L1 Visa and H1B Visa
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News about US H1B Visa Fee 2017
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Nasscom’s lobbying costs rise with regards to H1B and L1 visa
After the US President Donald Trump signed the ‘Buy American, Hire American’ executive order, it has become increasingly difficult for the US-based Indian IT companies to recruit skilled IT professionals from overseas. Earlier, India was lobbying for a reduction in visa filing fees under the Obama administration, now Nasscom is lobbying for leniency with regards to H1B and L2 visa. According to the recent lobbying disclosure reports, Nasscom has paid $150,000 to 2 lobbyists in the first quarter of 2017, which is higher than 3 quarters combined in 2016. The 2 lobbyists are the Lande Group and Wexler & Walker.
The Lande Group has been petitioning US visa processing, green cards, highly skilled immigration, tax reform, and border adjustment tax. Wexler & Walker took up immigration and the US H1B and L1 visa lobbying alongside the House of Congress and federal agencies. R Chandrashekhar, the president of Nasscom argued in a delegation with the officials of the Trump administration that the Indian IT firms contributes heavily to the US economy while creating numerous jobs.
21st June 2017
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More students staying back in US with temporary visa
Reports reveal that more and more students who go to the US for education end up staying back and choosing to work there with temporary visas.This trend is particularly high among Indian and Chinese students.
Skilled workers are staying back and getting work with the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program that permits those who have passed out of college to work in the country on a temporary basis. As many as 7 lakh OPT requests were approved from 2008 to 2014 as per data obtained from the Pew Research Center from US Immigration papers. These trends and other data indicate that this will increase over a period of time.
Those with a F-1 visa will be eligible to apply for OPT, post which the student is entitled to stay in the country for at least a period of 1 year. As an exception to this rule,, those with a major in the stem field are allowed to stay for 36 months.
There is no upper limit on how many people can apply for this visa. This visa provision came into force in 1947 and it can only be changed by a US president.
31st May 2017
