US visa rule change: Employers to bear ₹3.7 lakh H-1B, ₹4.2 lakh L-1 extension fees; What it means for Indians
The expanded fee applies to employers with 50 or more employees in the US, provided that more than 50% of their workforce is in H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrant status.
The US government has announced a new fee that will impact Indian professionals working in the United States on H-1B and L-1 visas. Employers with 50 or more employees in the US, and more than 50% of their workforce on H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrant status, will have to pay a $4,000 fee for H-1B extensions and a $4,500 fee for L-1 extensions.
The new rule, effective September 9, applies to employers, not visa holders, but could significantly impact Indian IT professionals due to the high usage of these visa programs by Indian IT and consulting firms. The additional cost could run into millions of dollars annually for companies with large numbers of foreign workers. Although the fee will not apply to every H-1B or L-1 filing, it may influence companies' decisions regarding workforce deployment, visa renewals, and hiring or retaining foreign professionals.
The revenue generated from the new fee will support the US Customs and Border Protection Air and Sea Biometric Entry-Exit System.
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