US to hike processing fee on H-1B visas by 12%

Washington DC: The US has decided to increase the visa application processing fees on H-1B visas by 12%, along with other visa categories. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the same recently, NDTV reported.

The new fee hike will be effective from February 26, and the new fee on H-1B visas will reach $2,805 (Rs 2,33,513) from $2,500 (Rs 2,08,122) currently.

It is the H-1B visas that allow US companies to employ foreign nationals in specialised occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise.

The announced increase will be applicable for premium processing fees for forms I-129, I-140, I-539, and I-765, as per a December 27 notification. Also, processing fees for Form I-539 (utilised by international students, spouses, and dependents of H-1B visa holders upgrading their non-immigrant status) have been raised to $1,965 (Rs 1,63,583) from $1,750 (Rs 1,45,685).

Further, the fee for Form I-765 (allowing individuals, including F-1 students applying for optional practical training (OPT), to seek employment authorisation) reached $1,685 (Rs 1,40,274) from $1,500 (Rs 1,24,873).

The online registration for H-1B visa applications starts in March. A lottery system and final visa application process for selected candidates follow.

NDTV reported that the increase in fees was due to the inflation between June 2021 and June 2023. The extra funds raised through the fee raise will be used to improve processing services, boost operations, and provide quick responses to adjudication matters, ultimately aiming to make the visa process more effective.

One should choose premium processing for certain visas so that their case gets decided faster.