DHS proposes another high H-1B fee: US$103,265 per petition
United States · Policy change · Published 2026-08-24, in the Federal Register 08-25
| Country / region | United States |
|---|---|
| Category | Policy change |
| Date | Published 2026-08-24, in the Federal Register 08-25 |
| What happened | DHS published a proposed rule on 08-24 charging approx. US$103,265 for cap-subject H-1B petitions; based on 85,000 petitions a year this implies roughly US$8.8 billion in annual revenue. It would not apply to non-cap petitions (certain non-profit research institutions, government research bodies and universities). It requires a 30-day public comment period before it can take effect, at the earliest by year end. |
| Impact on applicants | The cost of moving from student to H-1B could rise sharply, and hiring appetite among technology and finance employers may fall. No payment is required at this stage — do not be misled by claims that it "is already in effect". |
| Source: {src} | U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Federal Register (2026-08-25) ↗ Note on scope: Proposed rule — not yet in effect |
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Federal Register (2026-08-25) ↗ · Last verified: 2026-09-20 · For reference only; not application or legal advice. Always check the official source for current rules.
FAQ
DHS proposes another high H-1B fee: US$103,265 per petition — what happened?
DHS published a proposed rule on 08-24 charging approx. US$103,265 for cap-subject H-1B petitions; based on 85,000 petitions a year this implies roughly US$8.8 billion in annual revenue. It would not apply to non-cap petitions (certain non-profit research institutions, government research bodies and universities). It requires a 30-day public comment period before it can take effect, at the earliest by year end.
What does this mean for applicants?
The cost of moving from student to H-1B could rise sharply, and hiring appetite among technology and finance employers may fall. No payment is required at this stage — do not be misled by claims that it "is already in effect".
Where does this information come from?
U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Federal Register (2026-08-25) (Note on scope: Proposed rule — not yet in effect), verified by us on 2026-09-20.
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