FYI - DHS proposing $103,265 fee for many new H-1B petitions - post regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

FYI - DHS proposing $103,265 fee for many new H-1B petitions

Bloomberg Law is reporting that DHS is proposing a new $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions, including petitions involving workers who are already in the United States.

This is separate from the earlier $100,000 H-1B entry fee that applied primarily to workers being brought into the country. That fee was struck down by a federal judge and is currently being appealed.

A few key points:

The proposed fee would apply to H-1B petitions subject to the annual cap.
That includes the regular 65,000 H-1B slots and the additional 20,000 advanced-degree slots.
Universities, hospitals and certain research institutions would be exempt under the new proposal.
The $103,265 would be in addition to other H-1B filing costs.
DHS estimates the fee could generate approximately $8.8 billion per year.
The US Chamber of Commerce says the fee could make H-1B hiring cost-prohibitive for many startups and small and midsize employers.

For employers that hire significant numbers of H-1B workers, this could materially change the economics of hiring. A company hiring 10 cap-subject H-1B employees could potentially face more than $1 million in these fees alone.

This is currently a proposed rule, not a fee that has already taken effect. The Bloomberg Law report is dated August 24, 2026.

Something to watch, especially at companies that rely heavily on H-1B hiring.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/new-100-000-h-1b-fee-planned-for-foreign-workers-already-in-us

#Cost #H1B #Hiring

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9 replies (most recent on top)

@ky

it depends how many H1B can be let go

none, i have not seen any of them let go around my vicinity in recent history.

@jw not really! it depends how many H1B can be let go Vs US citizens

@a2

So US citizens would get an increase in pay

At big public companies like ours, a big 'NO', they will just get rid of more US citizens to cover costs. They are just playing replacement game.

Ya same as the proposal of Trump Administration To End 60-Day H-1B Grace Period For Laid-Off Foreign Workers and not allowing them to be counted on the US Census. Just a bunch of hot air to inspire hope before the Nov Elections then this sh-t will all disapear and sh-t will continue as is until its like another Bangalore here.

Cisco stopped paying good wages in the Bay Area long ago and as a result many top engineers left to other big tech companies. Cisco stock was flat for almost 2 decades. This was the biggest mistake by the top management.

One cannot say that everything is garbage ! It’s like saying that weather is bad every day. Most of the internet backbone and enterprise companies run on Cisco software.

Outsourcing companies are flooded with real bad engineers with just 20% have good experience and skill sets.

Culture at Cisco was destroyed by managers without any good skills and no mentorship experience. Only 20-30% had good judgement and critical thinking skills.

It is also not easy to integrate a lot of technologies and make it work seamlessly. But Cisco won the internet battle with other companies. Looks at juniper, sold to HPE.

Cisco is not perfect but credit to them for still leading in routing, switching and wireless.

With AI, the last thing we need it more H1B visas.

When the system is abused by big tech and outsourcing companies, new rules and safeguards need to be introduced.

Executive order, to charge $100K for importing talent did not work. Therefore the administration is introducing a law that cannot be blocked by lawsuits.

There is no shortage of talent among US citizens coming out of college and universities. Canada, Ireland and Australia have introduced laws and reduced the number of students and jobs going to non-citizens.

Outsourcing companies along with big tech is responsible for the current situation. Greed is everywhere !

So US citizens would get an increase in pay because this would make foreign hires expensive. GOOD.

i just read the actual rule. they literaly say that "DHS does not believe the proposed fee that the employer must pay USCIS is significant compared to the petitioner's wage obligation."

And apparently the new H1B fee is also expected to help cover costs associated with other parts of the immigration system, with H-1B employers effectively footing a large part of the bill because this is an employment-based visa.

Getting a little tired of this. :) OPT or H1B - pick one to target at a time. :)

Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

FYI - DHS proposing $103,265 fee for many new H-1B petitions

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