A complete breakdown of every fee employers pay to sponsor an H-1B worker.
Understanding H-1B sponsorship costs is essential — whether you're a job seeker preparing for conversations with potential sponsors or an employer considering your first H-1B petition. The total cost ranges from approximately $5,000 to $17,000 depending on company size, processing options, and attorney fees.
The H-1B visa petition requires several mandatory fees paid by the employer to USCIS:
Most employers use immigration attorneys to prepare and file H-1B petitions. Attorney fees typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 per petition, depending on the complexity of the case and the attorney's experience. Some large companies have in-house immigration counsel, which reduces per-petition costs. Attorney fees are a legitimate business expense and are typically paid by the employer.
Here's what employers can expect to pay in total:
Under Department of Labor regulations, the employer must pay the base filing fee, ACWIA fee, and fraud prevention fee. The employer cannot require the employee to reimburse these costs. Premium processing fees have more flexibility — some employers pass this cost to the employee, while others cover it. Attorney fees are almost always employer-paid. Any agreement to have the employee pay mandatory fees is generally unenforceable and could jeopardize the petition.
An H-1B visa is initially granted for 3 years and can be extended for an additional 3 years. The extension petition incurs similar fees (minus the fraud prevention fee and registration fee), so employers should budget approximately $4,000-$8,000 for the renewal as well.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →No. The employer is legally required to pay the base filing fees, including the I-129 fee, ACWIA training fee, and fraud prevention fee. The employee cannot reimburse these costs, and any agreement to do so is generally unenforceable. Premium processing fees are the one area where some cost-sharing may be permissible.
H-1B premium processing costs $2,805 and guarantees a response from USCIS within 15 business days. Without premium processing, standard processing can take 3-6 months or longer. The premium processing fee was increased from $2,500 in 2024.
Yes. H-1B filing fees, attorney fees, and related immigration costs are generally deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRS rules. This reduces the effective cost to the employer. Consult a tax professional for specific guidance.
The government filing fees are the same regardless of industry. However, attorney fees may vary — complex cases in specialized industries or for companies with unusual corporate structures may cost more. The Public Law 114-113 surcharge of $4,000 primarily affects IT outsourcing firms with high concentrations of H-1B and L-1 workers.