Indian professionals to face higher H-1B, L-1 costs under new US immigration rule

Indian professionals working in the United States on H-1B and L-1 visas could face higher employment-related immigration costs after the US expanded an existing fee to cover visa extension petitions filed by certain employers. According to PTI, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the scope of the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee to cover H-1B and L-1 extension-of-stay petitions. The change applies even when a foreign worker remains with the same employer.The fee itself has not been increased. Employers covered by the rule will pay $4,000 for an H-1B petition and $4,500 for an L-1 petition.The final rule was published on August 10 and will take effect on September 9, 2026.For Indian professionals, the change adds another layer to an already tightening US employment-based immigration system.