United States of America
O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement fees
An O-1 petition typically costs $1,655 in government fees for a standard employer — materially cheaper than H-1B because there are no registration, ACWIA, or Fraud Prevention fees.
Headline total
US$1,655
Single initial O-1, standard employer, no premium
Currency
USD (United States dollar)
Last checked
20 April 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
I-129 filing fee Small employers (25 or fewer FTE) pay $530. | US$1,055 | Yes |
Asylum Program Fee Non-profits $0, small employers $300. | US$600 | Yes |
Premium Processing (optional) 15-business-day adjudicative action target. | US$2,805 | Optional |
DS-160 / consular visa fee (applying from abroad) | US$205 | Optional |
Worked example
Single initial O-1, standard employer, no premium — US$1,655
- $1,055 I-129
- $600 Asylum Program Fee
Dependant fees
O-3 dependants pay $470 I-539 filing fee (each) plus $85 biometrics. Consular DS-160 is $205 per dependant where applicable.
Why fees change
Fees last changed 1 April 2024. O-1 is not subject to the H-1B registration lottery, and premium processing is available year-round.
Primary source
USCIS — O-1 Visa Fees
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-visa-individuals-with-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement
Frequently asked questions
How much does the O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement cost in government fees?
An O-1 petition typically costs $1,655 in government fees for a standard employer — materially cheaper than H-1B because there are no registration, ACWIA, or Fraud Prevention fees. The worked example assumes single initial o-1, standard employer, no premium, totalling US$1,655. 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 last changed 1 April 2024. O-1 is not subject to the H-1B registration lottery, and premium processing is available year-round.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
O-3 dependants pay $470 I-539 filing fee (each) plus $85 biometrics. Consular DS-160 is $205 per dependant where applicable.