H1B Visa Lawyer Blog
On Friday, December 18, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Public Law 114-113). Part of this new law includes fee increases for certain H-1B and L-1 petitioners. These petitioners must submit an additional fee of $4,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $4,500 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions postmarked on or after December 18, 2015.
The additional fees apply to petitioners who employ 50 or more employees in the United States, with more than 50 percent of those employees in H-1B or L (including L-1A and L-1B) nonimmigrant status.
Petitioners must submit the additional fees when filing their H-1B or L-1 petitions for initial grants of status and when a beneficiary is transferring status to a new employer. Extensions of Status are not subject to the additional fees required under Public Law 114-113.
Public Law 114-113 fees will remain effective through September 30, 2025.
For more detailed information about this subject please review the USCIS News Alert, “New Law Increases H-1B and L-1 Petition Fees“.
Source of Information:
USCIS.gov, 1/12/16, News Alert:
New Law Increases H-1B and L-1 Petition Fees
financialexpress.com, 1/14/16, News Article:
H1-B, L-1 visa fees go up $4,000-$4,500
Congress.gov, Text – H.R.2029:
H.R.2029 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016