A DHS final rule published August 10, 2026 and effective September 9, 2026 requires covered employers (50+ US staff, more than 50% in H-1B or L-1 status) to pay the statutory 9-11 Response and Biometric fee of $4,000 (H-1B) or $4,500 (L-1) on same-employer extension petitions, which were previously exempt. It applies only to petitions filed on or after September 9, 2026.
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9-11 biometric fee hits H-1B and L-1 same-employer extensions from Sept 9, 2026
Why this matters for founders
Startups with large H-1B/L-1 workforces should budget the $4,000/$4,500 fee on extensions filed on or after Sept 9 and, where eligible, file pending extensions before that date to stay exempt.
Source: Goel & Anderson (client alert)
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