Beginning Sept 9, 2026, USCIS expands collection of the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee to certain specialty-occupation (H-1B) and L-1A/L-1B petitions. The fee targets employers with more than 50 U.S. employees where over 50% of the workforce holds H-1B or L-1 status.
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USCIS expands 9-11 biometrics fee to H-1B/L-1 filings from Sept 9, 2026
Why this matters for founders
Scaleups that are heavily H-1B/L-1 dependent should add this per-petition surcharge to hiring budgets and check whether crossing 50 employees tips them into the fee.
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