Agencies Venture capitalBig tech Regulates an input
The 9-11 Biometric Fee continues to apply unchanged to petitions seeking an initial grant of status.
MechanismH-1B and L-1 petitions are the principal channel through which venture-backed startups and large technology companies sponsor skilled foreign hires, and this rule sets what those employers must pay per petition.
So whatThe other half of the same rule, and the one that bounds it: petitions seeking an initial grant of status are priced as they were. What changed is the extension side, which means the added cost falls on companies renewing people already on the payroll rather than on first-time sponsorship.
Already in force
Takes effect 9 September 2026 — 30 days after publication. The capture carries no comment window: on this one the input stage is over and what is left is the obligation.
Docket No. USCBP-2024-0009 · CBP Dec. No. 26-11
Same document“9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 V…”“The regulatory changes correct DHS's interpretation of statut…”
Selection rule: Read by hand from the Federal Register issue of 2026-08-10. No term search finds this one: the rule never names a sector, and the route runs through the visas a company sponsors.
Homeland Security Department 91 FR 51360 FR Doc. 2026-16231 published 2026-08-10 federalregister.gov ↗official PDF ↗
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