US extends $100,000 H-1B visa fee requirement through 2027

The White House announced an extension of H-1B visa restrictions that will remain in effect until at least 2027, continuing a policy requiring employers to pay $100,000 for certain worker petitions. The heightened fee requirement takes effect from September 21, 2026, and applies to covered H-1B applications during the extension period.

The policy, which initially imposed steep financial barriers to hiring certain categories of H-1B workers, targets specialty occupation roles that fall under specific wage and employment criteria. Indian nationals have historically represented the largest share of H-1B visa beneficiaries, with technology and IT services firms accounting for the majority of applications from the subcontinent.

Industry observers note the extended timeline may prompt US employers to reassess their international recruitment strategies. The $100,000 requirement effectively increases hiring costs significantly and could shift demand patterns toward domestic talent or alternative visa categories in coming years.

The extension signals the administration's continued focus on restricting certain categories of foreign worker visas. Indian IT companies and professionals have previously raised concerns about such restrictions, citing skilled labor shortages in specialized technical fields within the United States.