On August 25, 2026 DHS published a proposed rule adding a $103,265 fee to every cap-subject H-1B petition, on top of existing fees. It excludes cap-exempt filings, extensions, amendments and employer transfers. Comments are due September 24, 2026; if finalized it would hit petitions filed in 2027 for FY2028.
Home › Founders News › Visa & Immigration
DHS proposes a $103,265 fee on every cap-subject H-1B petition
Why this matters for founders
Startups planning to sponsor new H-1B hires should budget for a dramatically higher cost or lean on cap-exempt and transfer paths, and can comment before Sep 24.
Source: Ogletree Deakins
Related updates
More that helps you.
H-1B lottery becomes wage-weighted for FY2027, favoring higher-paid roles
DHS's final rule (published Dec 29, 2025) replacing the random H-1B lottery with wage-weighted selection took effect Feb 27, 2026 and governed the FY2027 cap season (registration M…
$100,000 H-1B fee still applies in 2026 despite court striking it down
A federal court ruled the $100,000 H-1B entry fee (from the Sept 2025 proclamation) unlawful on June 8, 2026, but the judge paused the decision and the government sought a First Ci…
UK opens Global Talent visa endorsement to 100+ R&D companies
On 6 August 2026 the UK government expanded the Global Talent visa so more than 100 innovative research businesses (including AstraZeneca and Jaguar Land Rover) can now endorse int…
USCIS premium processing fee rises to $2,965 for filings from March 1, 2026
USCIS announced on Jan 9, 2026 that the Form I-907 premium-processing fee for most classifications, including H-1B, L-1, O-1 and I-140 (EB-1/2/3), rises from $2,805 to $2,965 for r…
Get briefs like this tuned to you.
In the app, Founder Briefs are personalized to your country, industry and stage, and you can save the ones that matter.
See plans →
Keep exploring
Related across the site
ToolDocuSignDocuSign lets you send documents for legally binding electronic signature and track their status. It handles contracts, NDAs, offer letters, and other agreements with an audit trail.ChecklistHire your first employee the legal wayEverything a first-time employer needs, in order: classification, registration, workers' comp, payroll, and a first week that sets your new hire up to succeed.ToolGustoGusto runs full-service payroll for US businesses, handling paychecks, tax filing, and direct deposit, plus benefits, onboarding, and contractor payments. It automates federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance.ToolLegalZoomLegalZoom helps you form an LLC or corporation and access legal documents, registered agent service, and attorney consultations. It walks non-lawyers through business formation filings.TermEIN (Employer Identification Number)A unique nine-digit number the US IRS assigns to your business for tax and identification purposes, like a Social Security number for your company.ChecklistFind a small business lawyer you trustFigure out what legal help you actually need, vet and hire the right small business lawyer, and control costs with clear scope and smart preparation.