Flat rate$2,999 filing · RFE response included · no hourly surprises
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Employer guides · Updated July 2026 · 10 min read

H-1B Filing Cost for Employers in 2026 (Full Breakdown)

What employers pay for H-1B filings and transfers in 2026: USCIS fees by company size, ACWIA, premium processing, attorney fees, RFE response cost, and flat-fee totals.

Employer H-1B costs split into two buckets: professional fees (legal/filing service) and government fees (USCIS and DOL). Premium processing is optional but common for transfers with fixed start dates. For the line-by-line USCIS table (small vs large employer), see our full H-1B visa cost 2026 guide. Amounts below are for planning — confirm the current USCIS fee rule before filing.

Typical employer H-1B budget (2026)

  1. 01h1bfiling.com filing service$2,999
  2. 02h1bfiling.com lottery only$999
  3. 03I-129 base (online)$460 small · $780 standard
  4. 04ACWIA training fee$750 small · $1,500 standard
  5. 05Fraud prevention fee$500 (initial / change of employer)
  6. 06Asylum program fee$300 small · $600 standard
  7. 07Premium processing (optional)$2,965 — 15 business days
  8. 08Traditional law firm (typical)$4,000–$12,000+ legal + gov fees

What's included in h1bfiling's flat fee

  • LCA preparation, prevailing wage check, and DOL filing
  • Form I-129 petition, employer support letter, and evidence packet
  • Dedicated immigration lawyer review
  • Secure candidate document portal and employer case tracking
  • Attorney work to respond if USCIS issues an RFE — included in the filing flat fee
  • Not included: USCIS/DOL government fees and optional premium processing

How to reduce surprise costs

  • Use flat-fee scope that includes RFE attorney response — not petition-only quotes
  • Budget USCIS and premium fees separately in hiring plans
  • Run the free cost calculator for your employer size before finance approval
  • File early — rush timelines and role delays cost more than filing-service savings

Transparent employer pricing

No hourly billing on covered work — see exactly what you pay before you start a case.

View pricing

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — consult qualified counsel for your case.