Dear Workforce How Are Companies Paying H-1B Visa And Also Citizenship Costs

Q Dear Workforce:

What are the norms these days in regards to payment of citizenship costs and H-IB visas? Are companies taking on all the costs or do employees share the costs?

– Human resources generalist, manufacturing, Lafayette, Colorado.

A Dear In Need of H-1Bs:

Most multinational companies will cover the cost of processing of an H-1B petition on behalf of their foreign workers and do not pass this cost on to them. An important issue to note, however, is that to be eligible to sponsor an individual for an H-1B visa, the company must demonstrate that it is paying the individual at least the prevailing wage for that position in that location. Companies cannot include the cost of legal services in the amount allocated as remuneration for the employee.

With specific reference to your question about payment for citizenship, companies are less likely to bear costs associated with an employee’s applications for U.S. citizenship, since this rarely is an issue driven by the company. By contrast, it is a prerequisite that a company seeking an H-1B visa on behalf of an employee submit a petition to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. The company must request approval of the petition and demonstrate key facts about the company, the position being filled, and the nominated individual.

SOURCE: Lance Kaplan, global partner, Global Visa Solutions, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Melbourne, Australia, Sept. 10, 2001.

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The information contained in this article is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion. Also remember that state laws may differ from the federal law.