# 2026-16231: 9/11 Fee Sneaks Into H-1B Visa Extensions Starting September

2026-16231, 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visas, is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department published 2026-08-10, effective 2026-09-09; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16231
- As of: 2026-08-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16231
- Title: 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visas
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department
- Citation: 91 FR 51360
- Published: 2026-08-10
- Effective: 2026-09-09
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1651-AB48
- Last updated: 2026-08-17

## In one line

9/11 Fee Sneaks Into H-1B Visa Extensions Starting September

## Summary

Starting September 9, 2026, employers sponsoring H-1B and L-1 visa workers must pay the 9-11 Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for all extension requests, even if the worker isn’t changing jobs. This fee was already required for new visa applications, but now it applies more broadly to help improve security and track visa holders better. If you’re an employer or visa holder, get ready for this updated fee rule!

## Abstract

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending the regulations concerning the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for certain H-1B and L-1 Visas (9-11 Biometric Fee). The regulatory changes correct DHS's interpretation of statutory language to require that covered employers submit the 9-11 Biometric Fee for all extension of status petitions, regardless of whether the related fraud prevention and detection fee applies, which includes extension of status petitions that do not involve a change of employer. The 9-11 Biometric Fee continues to apply unchanged to petitions seeking an initial grant of status. The changes also help DHS comply with its congressional mandate to implement a biometric entry-exit system.

## Effects PRIA read

- Expanded Biometric Fee on H‑1B/L‑1 Extensions: cost, high. Starting September 9, 2026, covered employers sponsoring H‑1B or L‑1 workers must pay the 9‑11 Biometric Entry‑Exit Fee for all extension‑of‑status petitions, even if the worker is not changing employers. The statute sets the biometric fee amounts at $4,000 for H‑1B petitions and $4,500 for L‑1 pet…
- Statutory Sunset: Fee Expires September 30, 2027: benefit, medium. The 9‑11 Biometric Fee is currently set by statute to expire on September 30, 2027. That means, unless Congress extends the statute, the additional $4,000 (H‑1B) / $4,500 (L‑1) surcharge would stop after September 30, 2027.

## Related documents

- [2026-20660](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20660): Optional Practical Training Fees, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20650](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20650): Low-Value Shipments, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20087](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20087): Clarification of Certain Mariner Training Requirements, 2026-10-01
- [2026-20016](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20016): U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment-Based Immigrant Visa, Fifth Preference (EB-5) Fee Rule, 2026-09-30
- [2026-17390](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17390): Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Electronic Export Manifest for Rail Cargo, 2026-08-26
- [2026-17324](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17324): Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions, 2026-08-25

## Sources
- [2026-16231 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/10/2026-16231/9-11-response-and-biometric-entry-exit-fee-for-h-1b-and-l-1-visas)
- [2026-16231 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-10/pdf/2026-16231.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-16207, Implementation of the Administrative False Claims Act](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16207)
- [Next: 2026-16249, Amendment of United States Area Navigation Route T-373 in the Vicinity of King…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16249)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16231 (as of 2026-08-17).