Complete breakdown of H-1B visa costs — filing fees, attorney fees, premium processing, and who pays what. Updated for 2026.
Last updated: April 2026 · Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney.
The required USCIS fees for an H-1B petition include: Registration fee: $215 (paid during March registration). Base filing fee (Form I-129): $1,710. ACWIA training fee: $750 (companies with 1-25 employees) or $1,500 (26+ employees). Fraud prevention and detection fee: $500. Asylum program fee: $600 (most employers). Public Law 114-113 fee: $4,000 (employers with 50+ employees where 50%+ are H-1B/L-1). Premium processing (optional): $2,805. Total USCIS fees range from approximately $3,775 to $8,925 depending on employer size and options selected.
By law, the employer must pay: all USCIS filing fees (base, ACWIA, fraud prevention, asylum program fees), attorney fees for petition preparation, and reasonable return transportation costs if employment is terminated. The employee may voluntarily pay for: premium processing (though most employers cover this), visa stamping fees at embassies, and personal travel costs. Important: employers cannot require employees to reimburse H-1B filing fees, even through payroll deduction or employment contracts.
Immigration attorney fees typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 for an H-1B petition. Additional costs include: credential evaluation ($100-300), document translation ($50-200 per document), visa stamping fee at embassy ($190 MRV fee), and medical examination for visa issuance if required. Total out-of-pocket for the employer: $6,000-$15,000+. Total out-of-pocket for the employee: typically $500-$1,500 for personal visa-related expenses.
No. Employers cannot require reimbursement of H-1B filing fees through salary deduction, bond, or contract. This is a DOL regulation protecting H-1B workers.
$2,805 for 15-business-day processing. This is optional and in addition to all other required fees.
Total employer cost ranges from $6,000 to $15,000+ including filing fees, attorney fees, and premium processing. Employee costs are typically under $1,500 for personal expenses like visa stamping.