H-1B visa extensions could soon come with a hefty new price tag under new Trump plan

The Trump administration is preparing to make it significantly more expensive for companies to retain H-1B and L-1 workers by extending an existing visa fee to extension petitions. If finalised, the move would mean employers pay thousands of dollars more every time they renew eligible H-1B and L-1 visas, rather than only when hiring a worker or sponsoring a job switch.

The proposal, outlined in the regulatory agendas published by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of State (DOS) in early July, is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.