In a big update for H-1B aspirants, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the key dates to apply for worker visas in addition to a huge fee hike for each application.
From March 7 to March 24, 2025, employers and sponsors can start registering beneficiaries through the USCIS online system. However, they will now have to pay $215 for each registration, a massive increase from the earlier fee of $10.
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This new rule was imposed by Joe Biden on his way out, claiming to prevent misuse, improve the efficiency of the lottery system, and help fund the system’s administrative costs.
With the beneficiary-focused selection process in place for FY 2026, each applicant is limited to just one entry in the lottery, no matter how many job offers they receive.
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For Indian techies eyeing the US job market, this fee jump means more competition brings more hurdles for the community. Companies like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro, which already send thousands of workers to America, might have to adjust their approach.
So, mark your calendars for March 7, but be ready to pay up.
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