What government fees should an employer expect?

They depend on company size and case type, and typically include the I-129 fee, an ACWIA training fee, a fraud prevention fee, and the Asylum Program Fee. We itemize the exact fees for your company in your quote.

Are there new H-1B fees?

Additional H-1B fees have been proposed and challenged in court, and the rules have changed several times. We confirm every fee that applies to your petition in writing before you file.

How long does H-1B status last?

Up to three years initially and generally six years in total, with extensions beyond six years available for workers who are far enough along in the green card process.

Can we hire someone already in H-1B status?

Yes. A change of employer petition is not subject to the lottery, and the worker can usually start once the petition is filed.

What if our candidate is not selected in the lottery?

Alternatives may include TN, E-3, H-1B1, O-1, L-1, or a cap-exempt employer. We review the options with you.

For Employers

H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa

The H-1B lets U.S. employers hire foreign professionals in roles that require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. We handle the full cycle: lottery registration, petitions, transfers, extensions, and amendments.

Start Your Case

Free to qualify. Complete your intake, then book your free strategy call with an attorney.

Flat attorney fee $300

Who this is for

Employers hiring a degreed professional for the first time
Employers hiring someone who already holds H-1B status with another company
Employers extending or amending an existing H-1B
Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and other cap-exempt employers

Key requirements

The position requires at least a bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, in a directly related specific field
The worker holds that degree or its equivalent
The employer pays at least the required wage and files a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor
New cap-subject cases must first be selected in the annual USCIS registration, which opens each March
Cap-exempt employers and workers already counted against the cap can file at any time

What your flat fee includes

Eligibility review and case strategy
Complete preparation of all forms and the supporting legal brief or cover letter
Customized document checklist in your portal
Attorney review, signature, and filing
Response to any Request for Evidence on a case we file
Preparation for any government interview
Weekly status updates and scheduled attorney calls

We prepare you for every government interview, and that preparation is included in your flat fee. Attorney attendance at an interview is not included. If you would like your attorney to attend a USCIS interview with you, attendance is available for a separate fee.

Fees

Attorney fee

H-1B Lottery Registration$300
H-1B New Petition$2,500
H-1B Transfer, Extension, or Amendment$2,000
H-1B1 (Chile, Singapore) or E-3 (Australia)$2,250

Government fees (paid separately)

USCIS registration fee: $215
Form I-129: $780
$460 for small employers and nonprofits.
ACWIA training fee: $750 or $1,500
$750 for employers with 25 or fewer full-time employees; $1,500 for employers with 26 or more.
Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee: $500
New petitions and change of employer.
Asylum Program Fee (applies to Form I-129 and Form I-140): $600, $300, or $0
$600 for employers with 26 or more full-time employees; $300 for employers with 25 or fewer full-time employees and for individuals who self-petition; $0 for nonprofits.
Additional fee for large H-1B or L-1 dependent employers: $4,000
Only for employers with 50 or more U.S. employees where more than half are in H-1B or L-1 status.
Fee confirmation: Confirmed in writing
Additional H-1B fees have been proposed and are the subject of ongoing litigation. We confirm every government fee that applies to your petition in writing before you file.
Consular visa application fee (when applying abroad): $205
Form I-129 (if filed with USCIS): $780 for H-1B1 or $1,015 for E-3
Plus Asylum Program Fee.

Government fees shown as of October 2, 2026 and subject to change. We confirm current fees in your written quote.

The employer pays

Federal rules require the employer to pay the attorney fees and government filing costs tied to an H-1B petition. These costs cannot be passed to the worker.

How the process works

1
Strategy call and role assessment
2
Lottery registration in March (cap-subject cases)
3
Labor Condition Application filed with the Department of Labor
4
Petition filed with USCIS, with optional premium processing
5
Approval, then visa stamping if the worker is abroad
6
Public access file guidance and extension calendaring

Common questions

Related visas

For Employers

TN Visa for Canadian and Mexican Professionals

Learn more →

For Professionals

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa

Learn more →

For Employers

PERM Green Card Sponsorship

Learn more →

Get Started

Ready to start your business immigration case?

Click Start Your Case and complete a brief intake. A licensed immigration attorney will review your situation within 72 hours, and you can book a free strategy call as soon as your intake is done. There is no cost to qualify.

Start Your Case, Free to Qualify

Free to qualify. Complete your intake, then book your free strategy call with an attorney.

No hourly billing. No retainer. One flat attorney fee, stated before you begin.