9-11 biometric fee final rule: applies to H-1B / L-1 from 9 September
United States · Policy change · Published 2026-08-10, applies from 09-09
| Country / region | United States |
|---|---|
| Category | Policy change |
| Date | Published 2026-08-10, applies from 09-09 |
| What happened | DHS published a final rule on 08-10: qualifying employers (more than 50 US employees, over half of whom are H-1B / L-1A / L-1B) must pay the 9-11 biometric fee for all H-1B / L-1 petitions. It applies to I-129 petitions mailed or filed electronically from 09-09 (excluding amendment petitions that do not seek an extension). |
| Impact on applicants | Employment costs rise for large employers; small and mid-sized employers are largely unaffected. The direct impact on students is limited but it adds to the overall tightening climate. |
| Source: {src} | USCIS (2026-08-10) ↗ |
Source: USCIS (2026-08-10) ↗ · Last verified: 2026-09-20 · For reference only; not application or legal advice. Always check the official source for current rules.
FAQ
9-11 biometric fee final rule: applies to H-1B / L-1 from 9 September — what happened?
DHS published a final rule on 08-10: qualifying employers (more than 50 US employees, over half of whom are H-1B / L-1A / L-1B) must pay the 9-11 biometric fee for all H-1B / L-1 petitions. It applies to I-129 petitions mailed or filed electronically from 09-09 (excluding amendment petitions that do not seek an extension).
What does this mean for applicants?
Employment costs rise for large employers; small and mid-sized employers are largely unaffected. The direct impact on students is limited but it adds to the overall tightening climate.
Where does this information come from?
USCIS (2026-08-10), verified by us on 2026-09-20.
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