In order to further enhance security regulations, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to introduce a fee of $4,000 to extend an H-1B visa and a fee of $4,500 to extend an L-1 visa.
The new rule, which will be published and open for public comment on July 8, comes as part of efforts to fund the US entry and exit programs and prevent visa fraud while enhancing national security, VisaGuide.World reports.
At present, the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee (9-11 Biometric Fee) fee covers only petitioners filing an H-1B or L-1 petition, who employ 50 or more employees in the US, if over 50 per cent of the employees are in the H-1B or L-1 visas.
The current fees are $4,000 and $4,500 for H-1B and L-1 petitions, respectively.
Ongoing Attempts to Fund US Biometric Entry & Exit Systems
Under the proposed changes, these fees would expand to include visa extension petitions as well, obliging employers to pay $4,000 and $4,500 fees not only for initial petitions or changes of the employer but also for extending the employment period of H-1B and L-1 visa holders.
However, the DHS has emphasized that any changes to fee requirements would not take effect before issuing a final regulation.
The US H-1B temporary work visa permits US employers to bring qualified workers from other countries for specialty jobs if the employees cannot be found in the US.
At the same time, the L-1 visa is also a temporary work visa permitting persons to move from a company in their country of origin to a US branch, affiliate, subsidiary or parent company.
Through this kind of visa, all companies from huge corporations, and medium and small-sized companies are eligible to transfer their employees to the United States, provided they have a company related to them there.
The 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee (9-11 Biometric Fee) was introduced on December 18, 2015, for specific H-1B and L-1 petitions.
Congress has continuously attempted to fund the biometric entry and exit programs in order to enhance security and fight against visa and travel document fraud, while also protecting the US from terrorism.
The 9-11 11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee applies when a visa is issued, and when extensions are granted as a result of the change in employer. It means that if an American company hires an employee from another country and wants to extend the employee’s stay in the US, it is required to pay the fee.