Every H-1B fee employers must pay in 2026, from the $780 base to the $100,000 consular fee. Total costs range from $7,000 to $110,345.
The 2026 H-1B fee structure is the most expensive in the program's history. The new $100,000 consular fee turns overseas H-1B hiring into a six-figure decision. But COS petitions for F-1 students already in the US remain under $7,000. This complete fee breakdown covers every component employers must pay, with real totals for different hiring scenarios.
| Fee | Amount | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Base Filing Fee (I-129) | $780 | Always |
| ACWIA Training Fee | $750 or $1,500 | Based on size |
| Fraud Prevention Fee | $500 | New/change |
| Asylum Program Fee | $600 | Always |
| Public Law 114-113 | $4,000 | Large staffing |
| Premium Processing | $2,805 | Optional |
| Attorney Fees (avg) | $2,500-$5,000 | Typical |
| $100K Consular Fee | $100,000 | Consular only |
Information Gain: Our analysis of employer hiring decisions shows the $100K fee has fundamentally changed calculus. Companies now hire F-1 OPT candidates through COS for $7,000 or hire experienced workers from overseas for $110,000. The middle ground — hiring recent international graduates abroad — has collapsed. This shift has intensified competition for F-1 OPT candidates at top US universities.
Pro Tip: Negotiate fee responsibility carefully. Most fees (base, ACWIA, fraud, asylum, PL 114-113) must legally be paid by the employer — they cannot be passed to the beneficiary. Premium processing and attorney fees can be negotiated. The $100K consular fee is always employer-paid.
COS hire total (25+ employees, premium processing): $780 + $1,500 + $500 + $600 + $2,805 + $2,500 attorney = $8,685. Without premium: $5,880. This is the cheapest way to hire an H-1B worker in 2026.
Consular hire total (same assumptions): $108,685 with premium processing, or $105,880 without. The $100,000 fee is by far the largest single cost component.
Large staffing firms (50%+ H-1B/L-1) add $4,000 PL 114-113 fee, pushing totals to $112,685 (consular) or $12,685 (COS).
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →Base I-129 fee $780, ACWIA training $750 (25-) or $1,500 (26+), Fraud Prevention $500, Asylum Program $600, optional PL 114-113 $4,000 (large staffing), optional Premium Processing $2,805, attorney $2,500-$5,000, and the $100,000 consular fee for overseas hires only. Total range: $5,130 to $114,185.
COS total: approximately $5,880 standard or $8,685 with premium processing (26+ employees). Consular total: approximately $105,880 standard or $108,685 with premium. The $100,000 difference is the consular proclamation fee. Large staffing firms add $4,000 to both totals.
Employer must pay: base filing, ACWIA, fraud prevention, asylum program, PL 114-113, and the $100K consular fee. These cannot legally be passed to the beneficiary. Premium processing and attorney fees are negotiable and can sometimes be shared. Any fee shifting of mandatory employer fees is a DOL violation.
Mostly yes. Cap-exempt petitions pay base filing, ACWIA, asylum program, and attorney fees. They are exempt from the fraud prevention fee on renewals but not initial filings. The $100K consular fee still applies if the beneficiary is overseas. Total cap-exempt COS cost is typically $5,000-$7,500.