If you’re an IT company looking to expand your business abroad and need to sponsor green cards for employees, you might be wondering how much it will cost. In this article, we will explore the various factors that influence the cost of sponsoring a green card and provide some real-life examples to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Green Card Sponsorship
Before we dive into the costs associated with sponsoring a green card, it’s important to understand what a green card is and how it works. A green card is a document that allows a foreign national to live and work permanently in the United States. Green card sponsorship can be done by employers, family members, or even individuals.
Employers can sponsor green cards for their employees who are highly skilled or have unique abilities that are difficult to find in the US labor market. To do this, the employer must go through a rigorous process that involves filing an application with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Factors That Influence Green Card Sponsorship Costs
There are several factors that can influence the cost of sponsoring a green card, including:
1. Type of Visa Category
The type of visa category you apply for will have a significant impact on the cost of sponsoring a green card. There are different categories of visas available, each with its own set of requirements and fees. For example, an H-1B visa, which is commonly used by IT companies to sponsor highly skilled workers, can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 in government filing fees alone.
2. Labor Market Conditions
The current labor market conditions in the US can also affect the cost of sponsoring a green card. If there is a shortage of workers with the specific skills and qualifications you need, it may be more difficult to find a qualified worker and therefore more expensive to sponsor a green card.
3. Attorney Fees
Hiring an attorney to assist with the green card sponsorship process can also increase the cost. Attorneys can charge anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 or more for their services, depending on the complexity of the case and their level of experience.
4. Health Insurance and Background Checks
Employers are required to provide health insurance and conduct background checks on their employees before they can sponsor a green card. The cost of these expenses can vary depending on the provider and the specific requirements of the visa category.
Real-Life Examples of Green Card Sponsorship Costs
To give you a better idea of how much it can cost to sponsor a green card, let’s look at some real-life examples:
1. H-1B Visa Sponsorship
As mentioned earlier, an H-1B visa can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 in government filing fees alone. In addition to this, employers may also need to pay for attorney fees, health insurance, and background checks for their employees. According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the average cost of sponsoring an H-1B visa is around $8,000 to $10,000 per employee.
2. EB-1A Visa Sponsorship
An EB-1A visa is typically used for highly skilled workers who have made significant contributions to their field. The cost of sponsoring an EB-1A visa can be significantly higher than an H-1B visa. According to the USCIS, the filing fee for an EB-1A visa is $2,875.