Changes in H-1B visa application process likely to cut registrations by half

This year's registration period opened on March 6 and closes on March 22.

The application process for H-1B visas, which allow skilled foreign workers into the United States, is undergoing a significant change for the financial year 2025.

This year's registration period opened on March 6 and closes on March 22.

The US government's fiscal year runs from October 1 of one calendar year to September 30 of the following year.

Under a final rule released on January 30, employers hiring high-skilled foreign nationals will face significant fee increases for various visa petitions this year. The USCIS filing fee for beneficiaries on H-1B petitions will rise by 70%, while those on L-1 petitions will see a 201% increase, and individuals on O-1 petitions will face a 129% increase, reported American Bazaar.

The cost of applying for certain visas in the United States is going up. For example, the fee for H-1B visas will go from $460 to $780, for L-1 visas from $460 to $1,385, and for O-1 visas from $460 to $1,055.

USCIS wants to make sure that people who register are genuinely interested in working for the employer who registers them. Also, applicants must have a valid passport or travel document.

Employers can now use the new organisational account 'myUSCIS' to register multiple entities under the same account.