The United States has announced a steep fee hike for H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 visas, which are commonly used by Indians to immigrate to the country. This is the first fee increase since 2016 and will be effective from April 1st.
the US on January 29 has formally launched a pilot programme to renew the much sought-after H-1B visas domestically, a move that is likely to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. - H-1B, L-1 And EB-5 Visa: US Hikes Fees For Various Categories Of Non-Immigrant Visas, Check New Rates
The United States has introduced a final rule to enhance the integrity of the H-1B visa system. The rule includes a beneficiary-centric selection process, fully electronic registration and petition transmission, and the requirement of valid passport or travel document information for each beneficiary. USCIS now has the authority to deny or revoke H-1B petitions with false attestations or invalid registrations.
The pilot programme for H-1B visa renewal will run from January 29 to April 1, accepting approximately 4,000 applications per week. H-1B visa holders will be able to renew their visas in the US before a temporary trip abroad through the pilot programme, which is voluntary.