United States of America
H-1B Specialty Occupation fees
A single initial H-1B petition costs around $3,600 in USCIS filing fees for a standard employer, excluding premium processing and the separate consular visa fee.
Headline total
US$3,595
Initial H-1B, standard employer (>25 FTE, not H-1B-dependent), no premium
Currency
USD (United States dollar)
Last checked
20 April 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
USCIS registration fee (annual lottery entry) Raised from $10 to $215 in April 2024. | US$215 | Yes |
I-129 filing fee (petition, standard) Employers with 25 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees pay $460. | US$780 | Yes |
Asylum Program Fee Non-profits and small employers pay reduced or zero rates ($300 / $0). | US$600 | Yes |
ACWIA training fee Employers with 25 or fewer employees pay $750. Some petitions are exempt (e.g. primary/secondary schools). | US$1,500 | Yes |
Fraud Prevention & Detection Fee (initial petitions only) Paid once for an initial H-1B petition; not repeated on extensions. | US$500 | Yes |
Public Law 114-113 fee (large H-1B-dependent employers) Applies only to employers with 50+ employees where more than 50% are on H-1B or L-1. | US$4,000 | Optional |
Premium Processing (optional) Guarantees USCIS adjudicative action within 15 business days. Raised from $2,500 in February 2024. | US$2,805 | Optional |
DS-160 / consular visa fee (applying from abroad) Paid by the beneficiary at the US embassy/consulate after petition approval. | US$205 | Optional |
Worked example
Initial H-1B, standard employer (>25 FTE, not H-1B-dependent), no premium — US$3,595
- $215 registration
- $780 I-129
- $600 Asylum Program Fee
- $1,500 ACWIA training
- $500 Fraud Prevention & Detection
Dependant fees
H-4 dependants pay a $470 I-539 filing fee (each) plus $85 biometrics. Consular DS-160 fee is $205 each where applicable.
Why fees change
Fees were substantially restructured on 1 April 2024, with further premium-processing adjustments in February 2024. The Asylum Program Fee is new. Always cross-check on uscis.gov/g-1055.
Primary source
USCIS — Fee Schedule (Form G-1055)
https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055
Frequently asked questions
How much does the H-1B Specialty Occupation cost in government fees?
A single initial H-1B petition costs around $3,600 in USCIS filing fees for a standard employer, excluding premium processing and the separate consular visa fee. The worked example assumes initial h-1b, standard employer (>25 fte, not h-1b-dependent), no premium, totalling US$3,595. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
Fees were substantially restructured on 1 April 2024, with further premium-processing adjustments in February 2024. The Asylum Program Fee is new. Always cross-check on uscis.gov/g-1055.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
H-4 dependants pay a $470 I-539 filing fee (each) plus $85 biometrics. Consular DS-160 fee is $205 each where applicable.