US visa fee hikes: Here's all you need to know

Starting April 1, there will be significant increases in fees for certain non-immigrant US visas like H-1B, L-1, and EB-5. These changes could have far-reaching effects on immigration policies and international relations, especially with the upcoming presidential election. Here's what you need to know:

The Department of Homeland Security announced adjustments in fees and forms used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These changes will lead to higher costs and benefits.

For the H-1B visa, which allows US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized jobs, the application fee (form I-129) will rise from $460 to $780. Additionally, the registration fee will increase from $10 to $215 next year.

Similarly, the fee for L-1 visas, meant for intracompany transferees, will jump from $460 to $1,385.

For EB-5 visas, known as investors visas, the fee will rise from $3,675 to $11,160. This program, initiated by the US government in 1990, allows wealthy foreign investors to obtain US visas by investing a minimum of $500,000 in a US business, creating jobs for American workers.

These fee hikes could impact various sectors, especially technology companies relying on H-1B visas to hire skilled workers from countries like India and China. Multinational companies using L-1 visas to transfer employees may also face increased costs. Additionally, the EB-5 program's higher fees might affect foreign investors seeking US visas through investment.

-by Vishnupriya