DHS Proposes New Fee for Certain H-1B Visa Petitions

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a new $103,265 fee for certain H-1B visa petitions, in addition to existing filing fees. H-1B visas enable employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations.

The proposal would apply only to cap-subject H-1B petitions, which are subject to the annual limit on new H-1B visas. Many academic medical centers and university-affiliated hospitals are cap-exempt and generally would not be affected by the proposal.

The proposal would primarily affect private practices and other non-academic employers that recruit international physicians through the H-1B cap process.

DHS says the fee would help fund immigration-related activities across several federal agencies, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of State, and the immigration court system.

DHS is accepting public comments regarding the proposal until Sept. 24, before issuing a final rule.

For more information, contact Ashley Walton, ACR^® Government Affairs Director.