The US authorities has expanded the scope of 9/11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Charge for sure H-1B and L-1 nonimmigrant visas. Beneath the brand new rule, H-1B and L1 visa holders searching for extension should pay USD 4,000 and USD 4,500 charges, respectively. The price at the moment applies to petitions searching for an preliminary grant of standing. Come September 9, the charges will now be relevant to visa holders searching for extension of standing. “The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) is amending the rules regarding the 9/11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Charge for sure H-1B and L-1 Visas (9/11 Biometric Charge),” a Federal Register doc acknowledged, including that the brand new rule seeks to “appropriate DHS’s interpretation of statutory language to require that lined employers submit the 9/11 Biometric Charge for all extension of standing petitions, no matter whether or not the associated fraud prevention and detection price applies, which incorporates extension of standing petitions that don’t contain a change of employer”.
When new H-1B and L-1 visas rule change comes into impact
For these unaware, H-1B standing is a nonimmigrant classification for aliens to carry out companies in a specialty occupation. L-1 standing, however, permits firms to hunt a short lived intracompany switch of sure alien workers who carry out in an government or managerial capability or have specialised data.As introduced, the brand new DHS guidelines for 9/11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Charge for H-1B and L-1 visas will come into impact on September 9.
Which firms can pay extra for H-1B and L-1 visas
As acknowledged within the federal register, the brand new DHS rule can be relevant to employers who:
- Worker 50 and extra employees within the US
- Have greater than 50% of its US workforce on H-1B or L-1 visas
“The 9/11 Biometric Charge ought to apply to all H-1B or L-1 petitions filed by lined employers searching for preliminary classification of a beneficiary as an H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrant or an extension of standing for these already in such standing, no matter whether or not the extension of standing request is for a change of lined employers or for the aim of remaining employed with the unique lined employer,” it says.
