Free tool
H-1B cost calculator (2026)
Estimate the full cost of an H-1B petition — USCIS and DOL government fees plus lawyer-reviewed filing. Adjust employer size, organization type, and options to see your total.
Employer size
Organization type
Case type
Estimated cost breakdown
Government fees are employer-paid and cannot be passed to the employee.
- Form I-129 base filing feeOnline filing$780
- ACWIA training fee$1,500
- Fraud prevention & detection feeInitial petitions and change of employer$500
- Asylum program fee$600
- Government fees subtotal$3,380
- h1bfiling.com service feeFlat $2,999 — LCA + I-129 with lawyer review$2,999
Estimates use published 2026 USCIS/DOL fee schedules and are for planning only — not legal advice. Actual fees depend on your filing and current government rules. Verify the $100,000 proclamation fee status before relying on it.
H-1B cost questions
How much does it cost to file an H-1B in 2026?
Total H-1B cost is government fees plus preparation. Government fees typically run from about $1,700 for small employers to $3,400+ for larger companies (I-129 base fee, ACWIA training fee, fraud prevention fee, and asylum program fee), with optional premium processing at $2,965. h1bfiling.com adds a flat $2,999 for lawyer-reviewed LCA and I-129 preparation.
Who pays H-1B filing fees, the employer or the employee?
The employer must pay the ACWIA training fee, fraud prevention fee, and (in most cases) the base filing and asylum program fees. These cannot legally be passed to the H-1B employee. Premium processing may be paid by either party depending on who requests it.
Does premium processing change the total cost?
Premium processing adds $2,965 and guarantees USCIS action within 15 business days. It does not change approval odds — it only speeds up adjudication. Use the calculator toggle to see the impact on your total.
Looking for filing data? See H-1B filings by city & role →