US Expands H-1B and L-1 Fees to Cover Visa Extensions

Foreign professionals working in the US on H-1B and L-1 visas could face an additional employer cost when their status is extended, following the Department of Homeland Security’s move to broaden an existing federal fee.

The $4,000 H-1B fee and $4,500 L-1 fee will now apply to extension-of-stay petitions filed by certain employers. The rule is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on August 10 and will take effect 30 days later.

Who Will Pay the Additional Fee?

The fee applies only when the US employer:

• Has at least 50 employees in the United States.
• Has more than 50% of its workforce in H-1B or L-1A/L-1B status.
• Files an H-1B or L-1 petition covered by the rule.

The additional charge is paid by the employer, not directly by the Indian visa holder.

The fees will continue to apply to initial H-1B and L-1 petitions and qualifying change-of-employer filings. The expanded rule adds extension-of-stay petitions to the list.

Who Is Exempt?

An amended petition that does not request an extension of stay will remain exempt from the fee. The charge is also not aimed at every US employer sponsoring Indian professionals. The 50-employee and 50% H-1B/L-1 workforce thresholds must both be met.

What It Means for Indian Workers

For Indian H-1B and L-1 workers, the practical impact is mainly on employers and immigration budgets rather than the visa holder’s personal filing cost.

Still, companies with large concentrations of Indian technology and engineering workers could see higher costs when renewing existing US assignments. That may become another factor in decisions over long-term US staffing and transfers.

The broader pattern is clear: US immigration costs are increasingly being pushed into the employer’s renewal and compliance cycle, not just the initial visa process.

The 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee was created to support biometric entry-exit programs and is currently scheduled to apply through September 30, 2027, unless Congress extends it.

Travelobiz Take:

We see this as another employer-side cost for Indian H-1B and L-1 workers, not a new personal visa charge, but companies should budget for extensions carefully.