Premium processing fee hike for H-1B visas in force from October 19

MUMBAI: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday announced that it will increase premium processing fees for H-1B visas from October 19.As TOI had reported earlier, the Bill – H.R. 8337, signed by US President Donald Trump also enabled the immigration agency to cover new categories of visas under the premium processing route.As of now, USCIS has merely announced the increase in premium processing fees for H-1B visas from $1,440 to $2,500. Under it, the visa application form will be adjudicated within fifteen days.Introduction of premium processing for dependant visas such as H4 (dependants of H-1B visa holders) and for employment authorisation documents (EAD), which enables certain categories of spouses of H-1B workers to be employed (or self-employed) appears to be on the backburner.A release by USCIS states that it has been empowered to expand premium processing to additional forms and benefit requests, but it is not yet taking that action. “Any expansion of premium processing to other forms, will be implemented as provided in the legislation.”