H1B fee | Amount (US $) | Who pays? |
Registration Fee | $10 | Employer |
Basic visa filing fee (I-129 form) | $460 | Employer |
Public Law 114-113 Fee | $4000 | Employer |
Premium Processing (optional) | $2,500 | Employer or employee |
Case Type | USCIS Fees | Initial Attorney Fee |
---|---|---|
H1B (new) | $460 + $1,500* + $500 (if applicable) | Contact Us |
Complex H1B | $460 + $1,500* + $500 (if applicable) | Contact Us |
H1B (transfer, extension, amendment) | $460 + $1,500* + $500 (if applicable) | $1,400 |
H-4 dependent (with H1B) | $370 | $400 |
The filing fees for an H-1B are $460 or $500 and then either $750 or $1,500, depending on the size of the company. If the employer works with an attorney, they would generally have to pay another $3,500 for an H-1B.
To file an H1B petition using the I-129 form, the cost to the employer is $460. It is the employer’s responsibility to pay the filing fee. ACWIA stands for American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998. The ACWIA fee varies depending on the size of the sponsoring company.
Since U.S. immigration law is controlled by federal law, a lawyer can represent a client in connection with an H1B visa application anywhere in the U.S. as long as the lawyer is admitted to and in good standing of a state bar. H1B visa law and immigration law in general is highly complicated.
Premium Processing for the H1B Visa is a service provided by the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS) that offers 15 day processing time. The process involves submitting a completed and signed USCIS form I-907 and paying $1,410 payment to Department of Homeland Security. Department of Homeland Security guarantees a 15 calendar day processing time or they will refund the $1,410 Premium Processing Service fee.
The H-1B visa cost can range from $1,720 to $6,470 or more depending on attorney fees, optional fees, and employer criteria. However, only lottery-selected petitions will pay more than the $10 registration fee. With that said, it's still necessary for all parties to be completely aware of the H-1B filing fees charged.
Even the sponsor does not technically have to hire an attorney and may file the visa without one. However, due to the complexity of the process and administrative changes, as a sponsor, it is advisable to hire an attorney, especially for first-time sponsors unfamiliar with the process.
How Much Will Sponsoring an H1-B Visa Cost an Employer? An H-1B Visa (or H-1B transfer) will cost you around $5000 (including government fees). Immigration lawyer fees should costs $2000 to $3000, while filing fees are around $3000.
$60,000For the $60,000 wage to be determined, the nonimmigrant has to receive an annual salary or hourly wages that in total make at least $60,000, whether the worker has a full-time or part-time job. At the same time, the salary has to be paid “cash in hand” and “free and clear”, as well as paid when due.
H-1B Visas (Person in Specialty Occupation): The professional must be hired in a specialty occupation that requires a Bachelor's degree or higher, or its equivalent. Examples of specialty occupations for H-1B visas include engineers, architects, lawyers, physicians, and other professional positions.
However, the only H-1B filing fees that the U.S. employer is required by law to pay, for which they may not seek nor accept reimbursement, is the ACWIA fee for training U.S. workers (normally $1,500).
You must have a sponsoring U.S. employer, you cannot petition for yourself. You must have at least a bachelor's degree that is related to your field. You must occupy a specialty position that requires the use of your degree.
March 1: H-1B registration period opens at noon Eastern. March 18: H-1B registration period closes at noon Eastern. March 31: Date by which USCIS intends to notify selected registrants.
An application for the H1B visa must be sponsored by the company employing the immigrant. Under the current norms, employers spend approximately $5,000 as H1B visa fee. This may be set to change with a proposal by the US administration to hike these fees.
The H1 visa may be the most popular visa for immigrants moving to the USA but it is also the hardest to get.
Currently, the filing fees are around $3,000 while an immigration lawyer charges between $2,000-3,000. The employer must also prove that they have sufficient funds to pay the applicant’s salary for a certain period of time.
Apart from making the regulations stricter for the H1B visa, the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has also put forward a final proposal on increasing the visa application fees.
To apply for premium processing of an H1B petition, the I-907 form must be submitted. The fee for this is $1,225.
The Fraud Prevention and Detection fee is $500. It is a legal requirement that this fee is paid by the employer. Where the H1B petition is for an individual who qualifies under the Chile or Singapore Free Trade Agreement, it is not necessary to pay the Fraud Prevention and Detection fee.
The H1B visa cap sets a limit on the maximum number of H1B visas that are made available each year. In 2019, the regular cap offered 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 visas for applicants holding a master’s degree.
The H1B visa is used by US businesses and organisations to employ foreign nationals who hold graduate level qualifications or who have sufficient knowledge and expertise to work in speciality occupations.
Before an H1B petition can be made, the employer must first obtain a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA).
When the H1B cap is reached, 20,000 petitions are randomly selected from the master’s cap petitions. Any not selected will be go back into the regular cap. A random selection is then made from the regular cap.
This should be submitted when the H1B cap window opens for that year, at the beginning of April. This should not be more than 6 months before they wish H1B employees to begin work with them.
If the petitioner wishes to request for Premium Processing, form I-907 must be completed. Premium processing requires a $1,440 filing fee in a separate check/money order, an I-129 receipt, and Form I-907. The I-907 is a Request for Premium Processing Service. This is filed after submitting form I-129.
If the employer terminates the foreign professional’s employment before designated time, the employer must pay the expenses associated with transportation back to the home country.
The I-129 must have a completed H Classification supplement which is located on pages 11 and 12 of the form.
The employer must have received an approval of the Labor Condition Application before filing the I-129 form. After approval, the employer is obligated to file a Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker), filing fee, supplementary documentation, and the approved Labor Certification Application.
H1B Visa filing with USCIS involves a set of fees that every employer has to pay. Not all of the fee components apply to all employers, they vary by company size and the other factors as explained below.
In summary, depending on the size of the company, the H1B filing fee can vary anywhere from $1,710 USD to $7,910 USD + the Attorney fee ( if any).
As part of that change, USCIS will charge $10 USD fee per applicant for the registration process. You can read more at H1B Registration Rule – Updates, Fee.
H1B Visa is one of the most sought visas for high skilled workers to work in America. Depending on the size and status of the company, the H1B filing fee could vary a lot. Also, it is important to understand who pays for what fee during H1B visa process.
July 2020 : USCIS announced the changes to various fees in July 2020. There was an overall average increase of 20% fee increase. This fee change include H1B visa base filing fee too. It is set to be effective from October 2nd, 2020. Check USCIS Fee increase H1B Fee – Oct 2020
This is a fee as per the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) of 1998. $750 for employers with 1 to 25 full-time employees and $1500 for employers with 26 or more full-time equivalent employees
Many of you would wonder, who would pay for the H1B petition. For the most part, it is an employer’s ( H1B Sponsor) expense . You as an H1B employee or the beneficiary should NOT pay for it. Below are the details on who pays for what fee.
The approval fee is due upon your application’s approval. Accordingly, this fee is applicable only if your H-1B petition is approved, and is due promptly after receiving approval notice.
Initial attorney's fees are due upon submission of your signed retainer agreement. Filing fees are due any time before your application is filed with USCIS. Fees due upon approval (if applicable) are paid when USCIS approves your case. Note that fees range in price as a function of the complexity of issues or length of process, including time and work, involved. Keep in mind that these fees are estimates and that fees may vary depending on the difficulty (or simplicity) and specific facts of an individual case.
Filing fees are fees that are set by the USCIS to cover the cost of its immigration services. Attorney's fees are the fees charged by the firm for professional services rendered.
An individual client may be charged at a higher fee, depending on the totality of the circumstances for the client. Law Firm and Attorneys have the discretion to charge a higher fee or a lower fee for your case. Please ask our attorney for a specific contract. For information on payment methods, please click here.