If you’re considering applying for an H1B visa, one of the most important aspects of your preparation should be understanding the costs associated with the process. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the total expense involved in acquiring an H1B visa in Indian rupees, including filing fees and other expenses that applicants should be aware of.

Key Takeaways

Here are the key takeaways from our comprehensive guide on the cost of obtaining an H1B visa in Indian rupees:

• Filing fees for H1B visa applications can vary from $1,710 to $7,550 (Rs. 1,24,272 to Rs. 5,49,469), depending on the size of the employer sponsoring the applicant and other factors.

• Additional expenses that applicants should be aware of can include attorney fees, travel expenses, and living expenses while waiting for the visa to be approved.

• In recent years, the Trump administration has implemented a number of changes to the H1B visa program, which have resulted in increased costs for employers sponsoring workers from overseas.

H1B Visa Filing Fees

One of the most significant costs associated with obtaining an H1B visa is the filing fee, which can vary depending on several factors. The basic filing fee for an H1B visa application is $460 (Rs. 33,466). This fee is non-refundable and must be paid by the employer sponsoring the applicant.

In addition to the basic filing fee, larger employers may be required to pay an additional fee known as the ACWIA fee. This fee is used to help fund training programs for American workers and ranges from $750 to $1,500 (Rs. 54,738 to Rs. 1,09,476), depending on the size of the employer.

Employers with more than 50 employees and more than 50% of their workforce made up of H1B visa holders may also be required to pay an additional fee of $4,000 (Rs. 2,91,736) per application, known as the Public Law 114-113 fee.

Finally, employers can also choose to pay an optional fee of $1,225 (Rs. 89,294) per application for premium processing, which guarantees that the application will be processed within 15 days.

Additional Expenses

In addition to the filing fees required to submit an H1B visa application, there are also several other expenses that applicants should be aware of:

Attorney Fees

Many H1B visa applicants choose to work with an immigration attorney to help them navigate the complexities of the application process. Attorney fees for H1B visa applications can vary widely depending on the attorney’s experience, location, and other factors. The cost of attorney fees can range from $2,000 to $7,000 (Rs. 1,45,980 to Rs. 5,09,930) or more.

Travel Expenses

If you are applying for an H1B visa from overseas, you will need to factor in travel expenses to come to the United States for your visa interview. These expenses can include airfare, hotel accommodations, and other travel-related costs.

Living Expenses

Applicants who are waiting for their H1B visa to be approved may also need to factor in living expenses during this time. These expenses can include rent, utilities, and other necessary expenses.

Recent Changes to the H1B Visa Program

In recent years, the Trump administration has implemented several changes to the H1B visa program, which have resulted in increased costs for employers sponsoring workers from overseas.

One of the most significant changes was the suspension of premium processing for H1B visa applications, which was implemented in 2019. This change eliminated the option for employers to pay an additional fee for expedited processing of their applications, resulting in longer wait times for applicants.

Another change implemented by the Trump administration was an increase in the minimum salary that employers must pay H1B visa holders. In 2021, the minimum salary for H1B visa holders was increased to $208,000 (Rs. 1,51,96,000) per year, up from $60,000 (Rs. 43,612,000) per year in previous years. This change will likely result in higher costs for employers sponsoring H1B visa holders.

Conclusion

Acquiring an H1B visa can be a complex and expensive process, but understanding the costs involved can help applicants prepare for the expense. By factoring in both filing fees and other expenses like attorney fees and living expenses, applicants can get a more accurate picture of the total cost of the process.

Understanding recent changes to the H1B visa program, like the suspension of premium processing and the increase in the minimum salary requirement, can also help applicants prepare for potential additional costs.

FAQ

1. How much does it cost to apply for an H1B visa in Indian rupees?

The cost of filing an H1B visa application can range from $1,710 to $7,550 (Rs. 1,24,272 to Rs. 5,49,469), depending on the size of the employer sponsoring the applicant and other factors.

2. What additional expenses should H1B visa applicants be aware of?

In addition to filing fees, H1B visa applicants should be aware of potential additional expenses like attorney fees, travel expenses, and living expenses while waiting for the visa to be approved.

3. What recent changes have been made to the H1B visa program?

Recent changes to the H1B visa program include the suspension of premium processing and an increase in the minimum salary requirement for H1B visa holders. These changes could result in additional costs for employers sponsoring workers from overseas.