fee

,

USA: Increased fees for high-volume H-1B and L-1 employers take effect

,

As part of the FY 2016 appropriations legislation, Congress has reauthorized and expanded the fees that certain high-volume H-1B and L-1 employers must pay.  All employers with 50 or more employees in the United States, more than 50 percent of whom are in H-1B or L-1 status, are required to pay an additional $4,000 fee with each H-1B petition and extension, and an additional $4,500 fee with each individual L-1 petition, extension and blanket L application.  

The fee was signed into law on December 18, 2015 and took effect immediately.  It will remain in place until September 30, 2025.  The fee will be used in part to fund a biometric entry-exit data system.

, ,

Australia: Purchase of housing for 457 visa holders increased from 1st December

, ,

From 1 December 2015 there will be a fee for all foreign investment applications, including 457 visa holders who wish to purchase a house in Australia.

For a property where the value is up to AUD $1 million, the 457 visa holder will pay the Australian Government an extra AUD $5000 AUD.  This fee will increase according to the value of the property purchased and the relevant fees are tabled below.

 

Why is this happening?

Due to the recent increased scrutiny of overseas citizens purchasing property in Australia without seeking FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) approval, it has come to the attention that there has been abuse of the process.

The Australian Government needs money and 457 visa holders are not permitted to vote and so the Australian Government have provided $47.5 million over four years to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to improve compliance and strengthen the enforcement of these rules.

 

What does this mean for foreign national and employers?

A Fact Sheet provided by FIRB giving full details of the penalties can be found here.