US to Impose Massive New Fees for Work and Student Visas

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing significant new fees for H-1B work visas and F-1 student visas. The proposals for OPT fees were submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review on August 20, while the H-1B fee proposal was submitted on August 19 and cleared federal review on the same day. The exact fee amounts for both proposals have not been officially confirmed, but reports suggest the OPT application fee could reach up to $100,000.

The H-1B fee may be related to a lawsuit over a presidential proclamation that introduced a similar fee, which is currently being blocked by a court. These proposed changes follow broader regulatory modifications to both the H-1B and F-1 programs, including increased fees for high-employer petitioners and new compliance requirements for F-1 students.

Both proposals are anticipated to be published in the Federal Register and undergo a 30- or 60-day public comment period before final regulations are issued.