US visa fee hike: Take a look at the new H-1B, L-1 and EB-5 visa costs

In a significant development that came into effect on April 1, 2024, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a series of fee increases for various immigration processes. This change followed a decision by Judge Charlotte N Sweeney of the US District Court for the District of Colorado on March 29, who ruled against blocking the new fee structure. Bloomberg reported that the judge’s decision was based on the plaintiffs’ inability to demonstrate that the fee hikes would result in immediate, significant, and irreparable harm.

These adjustments in fees may have a considerable impact on Indian nationals seeking to work or invest in the United States, especially for those applying for H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 visas, which are among the most commonly pursued visa types by Indians.