Otc 20,2005, the Senate Judiciary Committee examined language for inclusion in a budget bill that would increase the availability of immigrant visa and H-1B numbers as well as impose new fees. The Committee examined two proposals and agreed on a compromise that includes parts of both proposals. The final version that was passed by the Committee will include the following provisions:
1) Raise the minimum fee for non-immigrant L-1 visas by $750, to a total of $1,440.
2) Cut the number of H-1B visas that can be recaptured annually from 60,000/year to 30,000/year.
3) Impose a $500 fee on recaptured H-1B visas.
4) Recapture 90,000 Employment-Based (EB) visas/green cards.
5) Impose a $500 fee on all recaptured visas and green cards.
6) Eliminate spouses and minor children from the annual Employment-Based visa cap of 140,000. This means siginificant visa number may become available.
Please note that several steps remain before this bill becomes law.