H-1B/L-1 Visa Fee Increase Under Public Law 111-230

On August 13, 2010, President Obama signed into law Public Law 111-230, which requires employers with 50 or more employees and more than 50% of their U.S. workforce on H-1B or L visas (L-1A, L-1B, L-2) to pay additional fees of $2,000 to $2,250 per visa application. The increased fees are effective immediately, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2014. The increased fees are in addition to the standard filing fees for H-1B and L-1 visa processing and fees for expedited ("premium") processing of H or L visa petitions.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") recommends that all petitioners for H-1B or L-1 visas submit the additional fees or a statement or other evidence that the employer's workforce does not meet the 50 employee/50% H-1B or L-1 workforce threshold. If the initial filing does not include the additional fee or explanation/documentation as to why it does not apply, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence to determine whether the