An IT services company agreed to pay more than $9.9 million to settle claims that it underpaid visa fees, the US Attorney’s Office announced.

L&T Technology Services Ltd. allegedly acquired inexpensive B-1 visas instead of the much more costly H-1B visas for temporary foreign workers, according to the US Attorney’s Office.

B-1 visa fees cost between $200 and $300, according to the office. In comparison, fees for H-1B visas range between $4,000 and $6,000. It’s also more difficult to obtain H-1B visas because they are subject to an annual cap on the number of visas issued. Another difference is that H-1B visa holders can engage in paid work while B-1 visa holders, in general, cannot.

“When companies apply for work visas, they must follow the rules and pay appropriate fees, just like workers,” said Mathew Broadhurst, special agent in charge, Southeast Region, US Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who circumvent worker visa programs.”

L&T Technology Services is based in India but has an office in Edison, New Jersey, according to the US Attorney’s Office. It provides services and personnel to firms in the US, and most of the personnel are foreign nationals required to have visas.