Global-mobility provider Crown World Mobility released its weekly brief on June 18, flagging two U.S. developments with immediate corporate impact. First, the firm notes that although a federal judge struck down the Trump-era $100,000 supplemental fee on certain H-1B petitions on June 8, the same court granted the government a temporary stay on June 12 while the decision is appealed.
![Immigration Round-Up: $100k H-1B Fee Temporarily Reinstated; State Dept Launches $750 Interview-Expedite Pilot]()
Organizations looking for practical assistance navigating these shifting requirements can leverage VisaHQ’s online platform, which streamlines both H-1B and B-1/B-2 application logistics—from document checklists to consulate appointment booking—allowing mobility teams to track costs and timelines in one dashboard; see https://www.visahq.com/united-states/ for details.
Until further notice, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue collecting the surcharge from large employers seeking to hire H-1B workers who lack a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Second, the briefing reveals a pilot program—quietly published in the Federal Register—that will allow B-1/B-2 visa applicants at selected consulates to pay a $750 premium to secure an interview slot within 10 business days between July 1 and December 31, 2026. The premium covers scheduling only; standard processing times still apply post-interview. The State Department describes the six-month test as a data-gathering exercise to evaluate demand for paid expedite options and reduce backlogs ahead of peak travel for the 2026 holiday season and World Cup matches. Employers should budget for the possible continuation of the $100,000 H-1B fee through at least mid-2027, given typical appellate timelines. Failure to include the surcharge will trigger a rejection, resetting the filing clock and jeopardizing project start dates. Meanwhile, travel managers coordinating short-notice meetings should monitor which consulates join the $750 pilot; early indications point to Mexico City, São Paulo, and Mumbai as launch posts. Taken together, the two measures illustrate how U.S. immigration costs are becoming increasingly dynamic—shifting from flat government fees toward tiered, premium-service models that reward speed with higher price tags. Global-mobility teams should review internal approval thresholds for unbudgeted immigration expenses and communicate with stakeholders who assume government-fee predictability.
Organizations looking for practical assistance navigating these shifting requirements can leverage VisaHQ’s online platform, which streamlines both H-1B and B-1/B-2 application logistics—from document checklists to consulate appointment booking—allowing mobility teams to track costs and timelines in one dashboard; see https://www.visahq.com/united-states/ for details.
Until further notice, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will continue collecting the surcharge from large employers seeking to hire H-1B workers who lack a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution. Second, the briefing reveals a pilot program—quietly published in the Federal Register—that will allow B-1/B-2 visa applicants at selected consulates to pay a $750 premium to secure an interview slot within 10 business days between July 1 and December 31, 2026. The premium covers scheduling only; standard processing times still apply post-interview. The State Department describes the six-month test as a data-gathering exercise to evaluate demand for paid expedite options and reduce backlogs ahead of peak travel for the 2026 holiday season and World Cup matches. Employers should budget for the possible continuation of the $100,000 H-1B fee through at least mid-2027, given typical appellate timelines. Failure to include the surcharge will trigger a rejection, resetting the filing clock and jeopardizing project start dates. Meanwhile, travel managers coordinating short-notice meetings should monitor which consulates join the $750 pilot; early indications point to Mexico City, São Paulo, and Mumbai as launch posts. Taken together, the two measures illustrate how U.S. immigration costs are becoming increasingly dynamic—shifting from flat government fees toward tiered, premium-service models that reward speed with higher price tags. Global-mobility teams should review internal approval thresholds for unbudgeted immigration expenses and communicate with stakeholders who assume government-fee predictability.
