Tag Archives: h1b visa

US Visa Fee Changes Effective April 13

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As of April 13, 2012, the US Department of State will is adjusting processing fees for most US visas. The fees for most nonimmigrant visa applications and US Border Crossing Cards will increase unfortunately, while at least the immigrant visa processing fees will decrease which covers all the green card and family type sponsorships.

The increases are supposed to be for increased demand in visas abroad along with facilities and staffing costs, however given the H-1B visa general demand over last 3 years is down significantly along with many other visas, not sure the logic holds up. Combine that with the huge US Budget shortfalls and this is an easy political move to increase revenue while not annoying actual voters.

As we said a majority of categories of nonimmigrant visa processing fees will increase, the fee for E visas (treaty-traders and treaty-investors as well as the E3 for Australians) and K visas (for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens) will decrease.

Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees

Type of Visa

Previous Fee

New Fee

Tourist (B-1), Business (B-2), Transit, Crew Member, Student (F-1), Exchange Visitor (J-1), and Journalist visas

$140

$160

Petition-Based visas (H, L, O, P, Q, and R)

$150

$190

Treaty Investor and Trader visas (E)

$390

$270

Fiancé(e) visas (K)

$350

$240

Border Crossing Cards (age 15 and older)

$140

$160

Border Crossing Cards (under age 15)

$14

$15

Immigrant Visa Processing Fees

Type of Visa

Previous Fee

New Fee

Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications

$330

$230

Employment-Based Applications

$720

$405

Other Immigrant Visa Applications

$305

$220

Diversity Visa Program Fee

$440

$330

Determining Returning Resident Status

$380

$275

 

H-1B Visa Quota April 2012 Update

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The FY2013 H1B visa season commencing on April 1, 2012 has just poset the first H1B visa quota numbers for the season and it looks like the H1B visa demand is roaring back. It is the highest total at this point since 2009 and more reminiscent of 2007-8 where demand was exhausted in the first few days and you had things like the H1B Visa Lottery which meant heartache for so many foreigners who applied correctly right at the beginning of the season

While last season FY2012, the H1B visa quota was exhausted on November 22, 2011, the H1B visa quota if continues at the current rate will be lucky to be still running during May. With the US unemployment rate down to 8.2%, and tech companies booming with many recent and forthcoming IPOs with Facebook, Yelp, Zinga, LinkedIn, Pandora, etc., the need for skilled workers particularly in engineering is hot.

As at April 27, 2012, getting close to a half of the main H-1B Visa Quota has been filled, up 17% to 29,200 from 25,000 on April 20. This is a slight slowing of the 21% increase in H-1B quota the prior week. Now over half of the Advanced Degree exemption for foreigners with a US Master’s Degree has also been filled also up 11% to 12,300 from 10,900 on April 20.

Cap Type Cap Amount Cap Eligible Petitions Date of Last Count
H-1B Regular Cap 65,000 29,200 4/27/2012
H-1B Master’s Exemption 20,000 12,300 4/27/2012

It should be noted that the related H-1B1 visa for Chilean and Singaporean citizens are not included in this cap which is about 6,800 set aside each year but is rarely filled and unused from the previous year are used in the current year. These are still being accepted for FY2012. Also please note the Official USCIS FY2013 H-1B portal.

Congrats to all those who managed to find an employer sponsor thus far and have got their application in early this year and good luck to those on F1 Visa OPT this year in your quest to get an H-1B visa. It is already a more competitive year this year than recent times so would be good to accelerate your search now and apply, apply, apply!

Cj