Continuing with your H-1B employee? You may have to pay more fees

The Trump administration is likely to expand the ambit of fees for large employers hiring H-1B and L-1 workers. Companies with more than 50 employees in the US, where over half the workforce holds H-1B or L-1 visas, may be required to pay the additional ‘9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee’ not only for new H-1B and L-1 petitions and change-of-employer filings, but also when seeking extensions of stay for existing employees.The regulatory agendas rolled out by the US Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of State (DOS), in early July had indicated this plan of action. The final rule maybe announced in the coming weeks.At present, these employers pay an additional $4,000 for eligible H-1B petitions and $4,500 for eligible L-1 petitions only when sponsoring a worker for an initial period of stay or when the employee changes employers.