Now Reading: US expands H-1B visa fee to cover extensions from Sept 9
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US expands H-1B visa fee to cover extensions from Sept 9
The US Department of Homeland Security will apply the $4,000 H-1B and $4,500 L-1 biometric fee to extension-of-stay petitions from September 9. The fee targets employers with at least 50 US staff…
The Story in Brief
The US Department of Homeland Security will apply the $4,000 H-1B and $4,500 L-1 biometric fee to extension-of-stay petitions from September 9. The fee targets employers with at least 50 US staff and a workforce that is more than 50% on H-1B or L-1 visas. Earlier, routine extensions by the same employer were exempt. DHS says the revised interpretation corrects its previous reading of the 2015 law.
DHS estimates the expanded rule will generate an additional $37.9 million in fiscal 2026. The change could raise costs for Indian IT companies, which employ large numbers of professionals on these visas. Between fiscal 2018 and 2025, about 27% of H-1B petitions from covered employers attracted the fee; under the new rule, the share would have been 75%.
The Indian Opinion
The prevailing worry that the expanded fee spells doom for Indian IT firms underplays the sums involved, DHS calls it modest against salaries and relocation. Still, the recurring charge on extensions, not just initial petitions, could make companies think twice about retaining employees stuck in green card queues. The concrete test: will Indian firms absorb the cost or pass it on? Watch how many extension filings actually attract the fee; DHS's historical 75% projection is the number to track.
Sources (2): nationalheraldindia.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
