The U.S. is rolling out a new Visa Integrity Fee in 2025, aimed at increasing accountability among companies hiring foreign workers under nonimmigrant visa programs like H-1B and L-1.
This change has sparked significant interest in the immigration and corporate sectors, particularly among tech companies and international recruitment agencies.
What Is the Visa Integrity Fee?
The Visa Integrity Fee is a mandatory government charge that certain U.S. employers must pay when filing petitions for foreign employees under the H-1B or L-1 visa categories.
This policy is being introduced to:
Discourage over-reliance on foreign labor
Promote fair hiring practices
Strengthen U.S. workforce protection
Fund visa compliance and anti-fraud enforcement
Who Is Required to Pay the Fee?
The new fee applies to employers who meet both of the following conditions:
The company has 50 or more employees in the U.S.
More than 50% of those employees are on H-1B or L-1 visas
These employers will be legally obligated to pay the Visa Integrity Fee when filing:
New H-1B or L-1 petitions
Visa extensions
Changes in visa status
This especially affects large outsourcing and consulting firms that have historically depended heavily on foreign skilled workers.
How Much Is the Fee?
Here’s the breakdown of the fee structure:
$4,000 – for each H-1B petition
$4,500 – for each L-1 petition
This fee is in addition to the existing USCIS fees, such as:
Filing fee
Anti-fraud fee
Premium processing (if selected)
ACWIA training fee
So, employers must now budget up to $8,000–$10,000 per application when all fees are combined.
When Will the Fee Take Effect?
The Visa Integrity Fee is expected to become effective in early 2025, although an exact implementation date is still pending formal announcement. Once in effect, employers must comply immediately, as applications submitted without the correct fee will likely be rejected.
It is advised that companies review their workforce composition now to determine whether they will be impacted.
Who Is Exempt from the Integrity Fee?
You will not need to pay the Visa Integrity Fee if:
Your company employs fewer than 50 U.S. workers
Less than 50% of your workforce is on H-1B or L-1 visas
You’re a cap-exempt employer, such as:
Universities
Non-profit research organizations
Government research institutions
Why Was This Fee Introduced?
This measure is part of a broader strategy to ensure that U.S. employers are not exploiting visa programs for cost-cutting or unfair labor practices. It is meant to:
Create a level playing field for U.S. workers
Deter visa fraud and misuse
Increase investment in domestic talent development
Fund Department of Homeland Security enforcement activities
Impact on Employers and Job Seekers
Employers:
May face higher recruitment costs
Need to plan budgets accordingly
Should reassess workforce composition and hiring practices
Foreign Workers:
May see fewer job opportunities with affected companies
May be delayed if employers are slow to comply
Should seek transparent employers aware of the new rules
Final Tips for Compliance
Audit your current workforce to determine if you fall into the affected category
Consult an immigration attorney for guidance on structuring petitions in 2025
Educate your HR and legal teams about the upcoming policy
Monitor USCIS updates for the official start date