The H-1B registration window for FY27 opens on March 4, but companies are facing a new reality: hiring overseas talent via the traditional H-1B route has become significantly more expensive. With a $100,000 fee now attached to certain H-1B petitions, many employers are exploring alternatives, particularly the L-1 visa.
The H-1B cap pre-registration period runs from March 4 to March 19, as confirmed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For the first time, employers must pay $100,000 for each H-1B applicant located outside the U.S. at the time of selection and petition filing. The fee, introduced during the Trump administration, has faced legal challenges but remains in effect. Companies entering the lottery now have to account for this additional cost.
The L-1 visa offers a potential workaround. It is a non-immigrant visa that allows multinational companies to transfer senior employees from overseas offices to the U.S. There are two main categories: L-1A visas for executives and managers, and L-1B visas for employees with specialized knowledge.
To qualify, the foreign employee must have worked continuously for the company for at least one year in the past three years, and the U.S. job must align with the L-1 classification. The U.S. and foreign companies must also have a qualifying corporate relationship, such as parent, subsidiary, or affiliate, supported by documentary evidence submitted to USCIS. L-1A visas can be granted for up to seven years, while L-1B visas are valid for five years. Spouses of L-1 visa holders (L-2 visa) are authorized to work in the U.S.
Experts note that the L-1 visa is increasingly attractive at a time when the H-1B route has become both costly and uncertain. Unlike the H-1B, the L-1 has no annual numerical cap and does not involve a lottery. Companies can transfer eligible employees directly, and these employees may later switch to an H-1B or pursue a green card if eligible.
While the L-1 route offers flexibility, it also requires careful planning, the right overseas corporate structure, and strict compliance with USCIS rules. This structural difference is prompting many employers to reassess their U.S. hiring strategies as they navigate the new H-1B regulations.
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