H-1B Visa Scams Target Job Seekers in 2026

• •H-1B visa scams are increasingly targeting international job seekers in 2026.
• •Fraudulent offers often require payment for sponsorship or immigration costs.
• •A new $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions has been introduced, complicating the landscape.

A surge in H-1B visa scams has been reported, targeting individuals seeking employment in the U.S. These scams often involve fake job offers that require candidates to pay fees for sponsorship or immigration costs. The H-1B visa program has become a target for fraudulent operators, including staffing companies and ghost entities that disappear after collecting fees. As of September 21, 2025, a new $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions has been introduced, further complicating the landscape for legitimate sponsors. Victims may include international job seekers who are unaware of the legitimate processes and costs associated with H-1B sponsorship. Authorities recommend that anyone asked to pay for a job offer treat it as a scam until proven otherwise. The situation is ongoing, with no specific resolution reported yet.