US: DHS Proposes Hefty Fee Hike on H-1B Renewals

The US Department Of Homeland Security is aiming to increase the fees for the H-1B visa renewal applications. This increase is going to be as big as $4000 for each renewal application by companies with a large number of employees on the H-1B visa.

Under the proposal, the renewals involving a change in job title or a significant switch in duties would also be newly subject to the fee. This change would affect companies employing at least 50 workers and with more than half of them on the H-1B.

DHS is estimating that at least 22,000 renewal applications will be received every year. The agency is taking public comments through July 8, for review before finalizing the rule.