H-1B Registration Fee Set at $215; Startups Wary of Rising Costs for Sponsorship
This move is seen as a major shift from the earlier fully random selection process.
Hyderabad:The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the next H-1B visa registration period will begin on March 4, bringing in changes that can affect Indian professionals hoping to work in the US in a major way.
Under the new system, USCIS will continue with the regular H-1B lottery, but will also give preference to higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants beyond the annual visa cap. This move is seen as a major shift from the earlier fully random selection process.
The application dates begin on March 4, and end on March 19. Companies must have a USCIS online account and must pay a $215 fee for each applicant registration. USCIS will send notifications to selected applications by March 31.
Indian nationals form the largest group of H-1B applicants every year, especially from the IT, engineering and healthcare sectors. Indians constituted more than 70 per cent of approved H-1B applicants in 2024 fiscal year, with more than 2.8 lakh immigrants. The new approach to selecting H-1B applicants could benefit experienced professionals with strong salary packages, as their chances of selection may improve compared to earlier years.
Dinesh M., an immigration consultant based in Hyderabad, said, “This change is clearly aimed at attracting top talent. For senior Indian tech professionals with high salaries, the odds could now be better.”
The announcement has also raised concerns. A proposed high fee of up to $10,000 for certain new H-1B filings is expected to make employers more cautious. Smaller US companies and start-ups may hesitate to sponsor new workers from India due to the rising costs, which could reduce overall opportunities.
For fresh graduates and entry-level workers, especially those applying directly from India, the path may become more difficult. Lower-paid roles could struggle under the new selection method, as higher wages are expected to carry more weight in the process.
Many Indian students in the US on F-1 visas may still see some relief, as employers might prefer to sponsor candidates who are already in the country, avoiding extra costs and delays. Additionally, the $10,000 fee is not applicable for applicants who are looking at a change of status from an existing visa to a H-1B visa.
While USCIS says the changes are meant to ensure fairness and protect US wages, the coming registration season is likely to test how accessible the H-1B route remains for Indian aspirants.
