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H-1B visa applications are a quick path to being rejected — and the H-1B employer blacklist is growing. With effect from July 1, 2026, four companies have been designated as “willful violators” by the US Department of Labour and will not be allowed to file new H-1B petitions in 2027 or 2028. When you’re looking for a job or waiting for a sponsorship opportunity to come around, it’s no longer a choice to check your employer’s status before applying; it’s a necessity.
Quick Facts: H-1B Employer Blacklist 2026
| Fact | Detail |
| Governing body | US Department of Labour (Wage and Hour Division) |
| Latest update | Effective July 1, 2026 |
| New companies added | They were given a score of 4 (GowraTech, Renotek Group, Seeloz, Sherwood Academy). |
| Ban duration | The company will continue until 2027 or 2028 |
| Which organisation updates the list? | DOL Wage and Hour Division |
| Risk for applicants | Failure to collect enough valid signatures to meet the criteria for a petition to be accepted for publication; possible fraud association. |
| How to verify | The DOL Wage and Hour Division has a debarment database available. |
What Is the H-1B Employer Blacklist?
The H-1B employer blacklist is a list of employers that is kept by the Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labour. It identifies companies that have knowingly violated H-1B labour condition rules or misrepresented facts on a Labour Condition Application (LCA) and are classified as “willful violators.”
Do not take this slip on compliance lightly. It is a prohibition on the employer’s ability to sponsor new H-1B workers for a definite period of time. Petitions to a blacklisted company will be denied by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Who’s on the Updated H-1B Employer Blacklist?
The four new companies included in the latest update are:
| Company | Debarment Start | Debarment End |
| GowraTech, LLC | May 12, 2025 | May 11, 2027 |
| Renotek Group LLC | August 8, 2025 | August 7, 2027 |
| Seeloz, Inc. | March 4, 2026 | March 3, 2028 |
| Sherwood at Mount Dora, Inc. (dba Sherwood Academy) | May 26, 2026 | May 25, 2028 |
The companies are not able to file H-1B petitions, which are virtually the same as the standard application, until the bans expire.
Why Do Employers End Up on the H-1B Employer Blacklist?
A company can be given a “willful violator” status if it has been determined that a company has made a deliberate violation of any of the following:
- US workers displaced with cheaper hires in other countries (H-1B workers)
- Did not make available job openings to American applicants who were equally or more qualified;
- Inaccurate job description or salary information on the Labour Condition Application
- Violated displacement rules by assigning H-1B workers to 3rd party worksites
Willful violators have to deal with random DOL investigations for up to five years after debarment.
How to Check Your H-1B Sponsor’s Eligibility (Step-by-Step)
Before accepting an offer letter, check out your prospective employer by doing the following:
Step 1: Search the DOL Debarment Database. Go to the DOL Wage and Hour Division website and search the debarment list. This is the main source of information on the employer blacklist for H-1B.
Step 2: Verify the Labor Condition Application (LCA). In order to verify if the employer has indeed filed a valid and certified Labour Condition Application for your specialty occupation that you might be hired for, visit the DOL’s FLAG (Foreign Labour Application Gateway).
Step 3: USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub: Information regarding H-1B approvals or denials of employers is provided by USCIS. Companies that have a high denial rate or have no petition approved in recent years are red flags to look out for H-1B employer compliance problems.
Step 4: Determine if the Employer Identification Number (EIN) matches that of the legitimate employer since it can be used to commit fraud where a legitimate employer wants to steal the sponsor’s identity. Verify the employer’s EIN with the IRS and state business registries before signing up.
Step 5: Meet the Speciality Occupation Classification requirement. Your job must fall within the definition of a speciality occupation as required by the H-1B rules. Be sure the job description in the LCA is exactly what you’ve been given — this is a common compliance error.
Explore more H-1B visa updates.
Why Is Visa Fraud Targeted?
Check out what the crackdown means.
Which H-1B Alternatives Exist Today?
Find faster work visa options.
Why Are H-1B Numbers Falling?
Uncover the reasons behind the decline.
What Changes This Filing Season?
See the latest H-1B program updates.
How Do Layoffs Affect Visas?
Look into the impact on H-1B workers.
Red Flags That Signal a Fraudulent H-1B Sponsor
| Warning Sign | What It Means |
| No LCA on file | Employer hasn’t started the legal process |
| Work at lower than market rate | A potential breach of the Labour Code. |
| Vague job description | Speciality occupation may not be eligible |
| A fee paid at the beginning by the person who works for you. | Under the H-1B rules, it is illegal. |
| There is no physical U.S. office. | May be a shell company |
| Promise of “guaranteed approval” | USCIS is not responsible for any petition |
FAQs
Can a debarred employer hire me on a different visa type?
As long as the employer maintains that the debarment is not a disqualifying condition, it should be possible to hire an individual who is on a different visa type. This current ban is only on H-1B petitions. But regardless of the visa type, it is risky to work for a debarred employer.
What happens if my employer gets blacklisted after I’m already working on an H-1B?
The approved status does not expire even if you are previously approved, but you might have to transfer your H-1B to the compliant employer as soon as possible. Seek the advice of an immigration lawyer ASAP.
How often is the H-1B employer blacklist updated?
The H-1B employer blacklist is updated on a regular basis. The list may be updated at any time based on completed enforcement action(s). Always check it frequently – particularly before a new deal or transfer.
Is the debarment permanent?
No. There will be a clearly established end date for each debarment (usually two years). But monitoring of the contracts after debarment is ongoing for five years.
Can a small startup sponsor an H-1B?
Yes, a small business can sponsor an H-1B. No, the size of the company is not an obstacle. The central issue is whether the employer is registered, has a valid Labor Condition Application, and is not blacklisted as an H-1B employer.
