23/12/2015
H1B Visa Fee Doubled – Bill Passed!
H-1B and L1 visa fee has been increased by $4000 and $4500 respectively on Friday (18th December, 2015) by the US Senate. The fee, previously $2000, was waived off in September, 2014 but now it has again been imposed on IT companies.
President Obama said, “It will soon become a law”.
The bill says that IT companies would be liable to pay a staggaring amount of $8000 to $10,000 for an H-1B visa. This amount will be applicable for H-1B visa and L1 visa as the next annual visa filing season commences, from April 1st 2016.
The new bill passed by Barack Obama says, “Companies having more than 50 employees and having more than 50% of H-1B visa employees would pay an extra fee of $4000 for H-1B visa and $4500 for L1 application ”.
Breakdown of H-1B fees which takes into effect from April 1st, 2016:
Base Filing Fee $325
USCIS Anti Fraud Fee $500
ACWIA Education and Training Fee
$750 ( For employers less than 25 employees)
or $1500 (For employees more than 25 employees)
Public Law 111-320 Fee $4,000
Premium Processing (Optional) $1,225
Here are some examples on how much a company has to pay for H-1B fee:
Scenario 1: Company A is an Indian IT firm or a consultancy which has more than 50 employees and has more than 50% of H-1B visa people. Here are the fees involved if they are filing for H-1B visa in premium processing.
Total Fee: $325 (base) + $500 (fraud fee) + $1500 ( Training Fee)+ 4000 (New fee) + $1225 (Premium Processing) + $1000 (Attorney Fee) = $8550
Scenario 2: Company B is a American Startup company which has less than 25 employees and has less than 50% of H-1B visa people. Here are the fees involved if they are filing for H-1B visa in regular processing.
Total Fee: $325 (base) + $500 (fraud fee) + $750 ( Training Fee) + $1000 (Attorney Fee) = $2575
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It is quite an unjustifiable move according to the Indian IT companies because the bill is written in such a way which will leave a drastic impact on Indian firms.
Furthermore, Indians coming to the US on H-1B or L1 visa, have to pay Medicare and Social Security. Reports say that, “A total of more than $1 billion is expected to be generated with H-1B visas, which would go to 9/11 responder and Biometric Account. And if some amount will be left after this deposit, it will be saved in general fund of Treasury”.
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As per some sources, “This fee, imposed on IT companies, will remain intact for coming 10 years, till September 30, 2025”.
India is talking to the US in this concern, but no move has been made till now. Let’s hope for the best to happen…
Thanks,
Future Access
