US Expands Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visa Extension Petitions

The US Department of Homeland Security has expanded the application of the $4,000 fee for H-1B and L-1 visa extension petitions. The final rule will take effect on September 9, 2026.

Under the new requirement, employers with at least 50 employees in the US where more than 50% of their workforce is in H-1B or L-1 status must pay a $4,000 fee for H-1B petitions and a $4,500 fee for L-1 petitions when seeking an extension of status.

The rule does not apply to every company sponsoring H-1B or L-1 workers. It covers employers with at least 50 employees in the US where more than 50% of their workforce is in H-1B or L-1 status, which includes Indian IT companies and other employers that make extensive use of H-1B and L-1 workers.

DHS estimates the change will generate an additional $77.95 million over two years. The department does not expect the additional cost to substantially reduce demand for H-1B workers, as H-1B petitions have exceeded the available visa cap for several years.