Calculate total H-1B visa petition costs including base filing fee, ACWIA, fraud prevention, asylum surcharge, attorney fees, and premium processing.
The H-1B visa is the most common employer-sponsored work visa in the United States Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation. By automating the calculation, you save time and reduce the risk of costly errors in your planning and decision-making process. This tool handles all the complex arithmetic so you can focus on interpreting results and making informed decisions based on accurate data. Accurate estimation helps you plan ahead, compare scenarios, and optimize outcomes for better overall results in your specific situation., allowing companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Understanding the true cost of an H-1B petition is critical for budgeting and making informed hiring decisions.
H-1B filing involves multiple government fees: the base I-129 filing fee ($460), the ACWIA training fee ($750 or $1,500 based on employer size), the fraud prevention fee ($500), and for larger employers, the asylum program surcharge ($600 for employers with 25+ employees). Add premium processing ($2,805 for 15-day adjudication) and attorney fees ($2,000–$8,000), and total costs can range from $5,000 to over $15,000 per petition.
This H-1B Cost Calculator provides a detailed breakdown of all fee components, helping employers budget accurately for H-1B sponsorship and compare the cost across multiple potential hires.
H-1B costs are spread across many fee categories that change periodically. This calculator ensures you capture every required fee for an accurate budget. It's especially useful when sponsoring multiple candidates and needing to present total costs to finance. Having a precise figure at your fingertips empowers better planning and more confident decisions.
Total H-1B Cost = Base Fee ($460) + ACWIA ($750/$1,500) + Fraud Fee ($500) + Asylum Fee ($600) + Premium Processing ($2,805) + Attorney Fee
Result: $9,865 total H-1B cost
Filing: $460 + ACWIA: $1,500 + Fraud: $500 + Asylum: $600 + Premium: $2,805 + Attorney: $4,000 = $9,865. Without premium processing, the cost would be $7,060.
The government fee structure includes: base I-129 fee ($460), ACWIA training fee ($750 or $1,500), fraud prevention and detection fee ($500 for initial and change of employer petitions), public law asylum program fee ($600 for employers with 25+ employees), and optional premium processing ($2,805). These fees are subject to change with USCIS fee rule updates.
H-1B cap-subject petitions go through an annual lottery. Employers must register during the designated period (typically March), pay a $10 registration fee per beneficiary, and wait for selection. Only selected registrations can file the full petition. The regular cap is 65,000 visas plus 20,000 for U.S. master's degree holders.
Consider alternatives that may be faster or cheaper: L-1 for intracompany transfers, O-1 for extraordinary ability workers, TN for Canadian/Mexican professionals, E-3 for Australians, or J-1 for trainees. Each has different cost structures, processing times, and eligibility requirements.
The base I-129 petition fee is $460. This is the minimum fee required for any H-1B petition filed with USCIS. Additional mandatory fees (ACWIA, fraud, asylum) are added based on employer size and characteristics.
The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) fee is $750 for employers with 25 or fewer full-time employees and $1,500 for employers with 26 or more. This fee funds U.S. worker training programs and cannot be recovered from the employee.
Premium processing costs $2,805 and guarantees a response within 15 calendar days. It's worth it when you need the worker to start quickly, are facing project deadlines, or when standard processing times are 6+ months. The fee is refundable if USCIS misses the deadline.
Immigration attorney fees for H-1B petitions range from $2,000 for straightforward cases to $5,000–$8,000 for complex cases. Firms handling high volumes may offer lower per-petition rates. Get detailed fee quotes including any amendment or RFE (Request for Evidence) response costs.
Plan for: H-1B amendments if the worker changes job location or duties ($460 + attorney fees), H-1B extensions every 3 years (full fees again), and eventual green card sponsorship (PERM + I-140 + I-485 totaling $10,000–$20,000+ over several years). Keeping this factor in mind will improve the accuracy and usefulness of your overall calculations.
The ACWIA training fee must be paid by the employer. The base filing fee and other fees may potentially be shared, but practices vary and legal opinions differ. Premium processing can be employee-paid if requested for employee convenience. Consult your immigration attorney.