US hikes visa fees, new rates to come into effect from April 1

Washington: The US has announced a steep hike in fees for various categories of non-immigrant visas such as H-1B, L-1 and EB-5, the most popular among Indians.

This is the first time since 2016 that the fees are being increased, which will be effective from April 1. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.

The U.S. government launched the EB-5 program in 1990, which enables foreign investors to obtain U.S. visas for themselves and their families by investing at least $500,000 in U.S. business.

The EB-5 program helps provide jobs to 10 American workers. The H-1B application visa fee has been increased from $460 to $780. From next year, the H-1B registration fee will increase from $ 10 to $ 215.

The fee for L-1 visa has gone up from $460 to $1,385 and the EB-5 visa fee, popularly known as investor visa, has gone up from $3,675 to $11,160.