October 1st, 2003 - Lower fees and lower cap for H1-B
The H1-B visa allows foreign professionals (university graduates and/ or those with equivalent experience) to work in the United States for a specific employer for a determined period of time.
Since October 1, 2003, the maximum number of H1-B issued annually was reduced from 195,000 to 65,000.
The good news is that the total filing fee for applications is now $130 instead of $1,130.
Unfortunately, we do not believe that this lower fee will be a permanent change, so the best idea is to get into get into action as soon as possible.
You can file an H-1b application as early as six months in advance. Filing as soon as possible is also recommendable because of the new lower cap;
if you wait for too long, you might be unable to do it until the next fiscal year.
Also, if your H1-B is set to expire anytime in the next six months, you could file the petition immediately, assuring savings of $1000.
