H-1B Visa Fee Hike: The annual cost of an H-1B visa has been raised by the US government to up to $100,000. Chinese and Indian professionals may be especially impacted by this move. This visa enables international professionals, especially those in the engineering, finance, and information technology fields, to work temporarily in the United States.
Tech firms issued a cautionary note
Big software firms like Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have requested that their staff members return to the US right away. According to the companies, it is imperative that they return before the new regulations take effect in order to prevent any disruptions to the visa application process. Employees received this instruction straight by email.
Microsoft and JPMorgan move
In an internal email, Microsoft and JPMorgan warned H-1B and H-4 visa holders to return to the United States as soon as possible. JPMorgan also cautioned staff members to obtain their legal status prior to the fee increase taking effect, failing which they may encounter challenges, according to a Reuters report.
H-4 Visa Affecting Families
Family members who are dependent on H-1B Visa Fee Hike holders are eligible for H-4 visas. Spouses and children under 21 who are not married are included in this. Since these families’ legal existence is directly reliant on the H-1B, the new regulations and tax increases may also have an effect on their status.
Increased Fees Effect on Industry
The expenditures for US tech companies would rise dramatically if the H-1B visa fee were raised to $100,000. Hiring foreign talent may become challenging as a result. As a result, the US labour market would be under pressure and thousands of professionals from China and India would be impacted.
Disclaimer: The sole objective of this article is to provide information. The information provided is derived from media outlets and public reports. We do not support or validate any government, business, or organization’s actions. For any formal decisions, readers should rely on official information from the appropriate government.
