H-1B Visa Fees: Complete Cost Breakdown for 2026

If you plan to work in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, it’s important to know the costs. The H-1B visa fees can be complex, with multiple charges depending on your situation, the number of full-time employees your sponsoring company has in the United States, and whether expedited processing is requested. 

In this guide, we’ll break down every fee associated with the H-1B visa process for 2026, who pays what, and how to budget effectively. Whether you’re an employer sponsoring talent or a professional preparing for your American dream, this complete breakdown will help you navigate the financial side of H-1B applications with confidence.  

Fees for Visa Services

The total cost of an H1B visa varies significantly based on your employer’s profile, your specific circumstances, and optional services. Here’s how the fees are typically divided.

H-1B Visa Fees for Employers

Employers bear the majority of H-1B government filing fees. These typically include:

• H-1B Registration Fee: $215 (approx. ₹19,350) – This fee is paid by the employer when electronically registering a candidate to the annual H-1B lottery, and it is required before a full petition can be filed.
• Base Filing Fee (Form I-129): $780 (approx. ₹70,200) – This is the standard USCIS filing fee that employers must pay when submitting the H-1B petition after the candidate is selected in the lottery.

• ACWIA Fee: $750 (₹67,500) or $1,500 (approx. ₹1,35,000) – The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) fee is paid by the employer to fund U.S. worker training and education programs. The fee is $750 for employers with 25 or fewer full-time U.S. employees, and $1,500 for employers with more than 25 full-time U.S. employees.
• Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee: $500 (approx. ₹45,000) – This fee is imposed to deter fraud and prevent misuse of the H-1B program. It applies when an employer files an initial H-1B petition for a new employee or submits a petition to transfer an existing H-1B worker from another employer. However, this fee does not apply to extensions filed by the same employer on behalf of the same employee.
• Asylum Program Fee: $600 (approx. ₹54,000) or $300 (approx. ₹ 27,600) – This fee is required for most employment-based immigration petitions and is intended to support and strengthen the U.S. asylum adjudication system.
• Public Law 114-113 Fee: $4,000 (approx. ₹3,60,000) – This fee applies to employers with 50 or more employees if more than 50% of their workforce holds H-1B or L-1 status, and it is designed to discourage heavy dependence on foreign worker programs. 
• Supplemental $100,000 Fee: $100,000 (approx. ₹90,00,000) – This fee may apply to certain new H-1B petitions based on specific statutory conditions, but it does not apply to extensions filed with the same employer.

Employers also typically cover attorney fees, which can range from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on case complexity and the law firm’s experience. 

H-1B Visa Fees for Employees 

There are certain costs, listed below, that the employee (beneficiary) is permitted to bear.  

• Visa Application Fee (DS-160): $205 (approx. ₹18,450) – Every H-1B applicant attending a U.S. consular interview must complete Form DS-160 and pay the non-refundable Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee. This amount is paid to the U.S. Department of State before the visa appointment and is typically borne by the applicant unless reimbursed by the employer.
• Premium Processing Fee (Optional): $2,965 (approx. ₹2,66,850) – For petitions filed on or after 1^st March,2026, the premium processing fee for Form I-129 (including H-1B) will be $2,965. This fee may be paid by either the employer or employee. 
• Additional Personal Expenses: Applicants may also incur non-government costs such as travel for the consular interview, document translation, medical examinations (if required), and courier charges, all of which can increase the total out-of-pocket expense.

Summary of the Above H-1B Fee Structure (2026)

Fee Type	Amount (USD)	Who Pays	When Required
H-1B Registration Fee	$215	Employer	Annual lottery registration
Base Filing Fee (I-129)	$780	Employer	Required for all petitions
ACWIA Fee (small employers)	$750	Employer	Employers with ≤25 employees
ACWIA Fee (large employers)	$1,500	Employer	Employers with >25 employees
Fraud Prevention Fee	$500	Employer	Initial and transfer petitions
Asylum Program Fee	$600	Employer	Applicable to most petitions
Premium Processing (optional)	$2,965	Either party	When expedited processing requested
Supplemental $100,000 Fee	$100,000	Employer	New petitions for offshore workers

The new $100,000 fee applies to employers filing new H-1B petitions for offshore workers. The fee was designed to encourage companies to hire American workers and to generate revenue for workforce development programs.

H-1B Related Exemptions

Certain employers and petition types may qualify for important exemptions from specific H-1B fees or from the annual cap, depending on the circumstances. Understanding these exemptions can significantly reduce overall costs and procedural hurdles.

Key exemptions include:

• H-1B extensions with the same employer, which are generally exempt from the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee and certain additional statutory fees. Extensions typically do not trigger newly introduced supplemental fees applicable to certain first-time filings.
• Accredited institutions of higher education (universities and colleges), which are cap-exempt and may qualify for exemptions from specific statutory fees such as the ACWIA fee.
• Nonprofit organizations affiliated with institutions of higher education, which may qualify for cap exemption and reduced fee obligations where statutory criteria are met.
• Government research organizations and nonprofit research institutions, which are typically exempt from the annual H-1B cap and certain employer-specific fees.

It is important to note that while cap-exempt employers are exempt from the annual quota, this does not automatically exempt them from all filing fees. Eligibility for any fee exemption depends on detailed statutory and regulatory requirements, and careful legal review is essential to ensure compliance while avoiding unnecessary costs. At LawQuest, we regularly assist employers in evaluating exemption eligibility and structuring filings strategically while maintaining strict adherence to U.S. immigration regulations.

Important 2026 Updates

The H-1B landscape continues to evolve. The most significant developments affecting 2026 filings include:

• $100,000 Supplemental Fee: A new supplemental fee applies to certain new H-1B petitions filed for beneficiaries outside the United States seeking admission. This fee does not generally apply to extensions, amendments, or change-of-status filings within the U.S. The applicability remains subject to ongoing regulatory guidance.
• H-1B Registration and Selection Changes: The registration system continues to evolve.  In addition to the measures aimed at reducing duplicate registrations and strengthening integrity in the lottery process, the USCIS has announced that it will no longer use a random selection process for FY 2027. Instead, it will use a wage-weighted selection process in which H-1B workers at Wage Level IV will receive four chances in the lottery, and as the wage level decreases, the number of chances in the lottery will also decrease.
• Increased Scrutiny of Specialty Occupation Positions: USCIS has intensified its scrutiny of specialty occupation eligibility, especially for entry-level positions and third-party placements, which has led to a rise in Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
• Prevailing Wage Developments: Heightened focus on prevailing wage compliance and wage-level requirements continues to impact overall sponsorship costs, even where filing fees remain unchanged.

Given the complexity of these developments, proactive legal planning is more important than ever to manage costs, minimize risk, and ensure successful H-1B filings. At LawQuest, we monitor regulatory updates and proactively inform our clients of changes that could affect their case. 

Conclusion

Understanding H-1B visa fees in 2026 is crucial for both employers and employees, as proper planning, awareness of exemptions, and the right legal strategy can significantly reduce unnecessary costs and delays.

LawQuest team members have more than 30 years of cumulative experience in immigration laws. We don’t just file paperwork; we build strategies tailored to your unique situation, anticipate challenges before they arise, and stand by you throughout the entire process. If you wish to start your H-1B journey with confidence, we’re here to help every step of the way.