The US has increased fees for non-immigrant visas, affecting various groups:
Families:
- Form I-130 fee up by 26%, making it harder for families sponsoring green cards.
- Adjustment of status fee up by 18%, adding a financial hurdle to green card applications.
Investor Visa Applicants:
- EB-5 investment program sees a hefty 204% fee hike, potentially discouraging wealthy investors and affecting job creation.
Employers:
- H-1B visa registration fee jumps from $10 to $215 to deter frivolous registrations, potentially burdening businesses relying on specialized worker visas.
- H-1B petition fee increases by 70%, raising costs for employers.
- L-1 visa fee for intracompany transfers sharply rises from $460 to $1,385, impacting businesses sending employees to the US.
Overall Impact:
- Increased costs pose financial barriers for all groups, potentially delaying or blocking visa goals.
- Reduced accessibility may disproportionately affect lower-income families and smaller businesses, limiting immigration options.
- Potential economic effects include reduced investment and skilled worker availability, impacting certain sectors of the US economy.
US Visa Fees, Visa Fee Hike, Impact on Families, Impact on Investors, Impact on Employers