SUNSET OF 50/50 H-1B FILING FEES

In 2010, Congress passed Public Law 111-230.  PL 111-230 raised H-1B and L-1 filing fees for employers who have over 50 employees with more than 50% of these employees in H-1B or L-1 status.  H-1B petitions were assessed an additional $2,000 in filing fees.  L-1 petitioners were assed $2,250 in additional filing fees.  These additional fees did not stay with USCIS but were deposited into the US government’s general treasury fund, ostensibly to fund border security.  PL 111-230 was original to end in 2014, but was re-authorized until September 30, 2015.

At this time, PL 111-230 has not been reauthorized and so 50/50 employers no longer need to pay the additional filing fees.  AILA has confirmed that USCIS is aware of the ending of PL 111-230.