H-1B Filing & Petition in New York — #1 City for H-1B Sponsorship
New York employers file H-1B petitions after DOL LCA certification for the NYC metro worksite, then USCIS Form I-129 submission. h1bfiling.com provides flat-fee petition preparation ($2,999) and lottery registration ($999) for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and tri-state worksites.
More H-1B petitions are filed in New York than any U.S. city — 10,760 in FY 2026 Q2. Lawyer-reviewed I-129 filings for NYC metro employers.
MSA: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA · All NY H-1B cities →
Filing an H-1B transfer in New York?
Change-of-employer guide for HR — timeline, documents, and flat-fee filing.
Need an H-1B lawyer in New York?
Flat-fee transfer and petition filing with a dedicated immigration attorney on every case.
New York market data
H-1B filing activity in New York
Public DOL LCA disclosure data for the New York metro. LCA certification is the first step; USCIS separately adjudicates the H-1B petition. Source: U.S. Department of Labor FLAG public LCA disclosure (OFLC). LCA certification is not USCIS petition approval..
DOL OFLC disclosure · refreshed June 2026
Methodology: DOL OFLC public disclosure data. Employer counts and wages reflect certified LCAs for the city worksite only.
#1 · 10,760
USCIS petitions
2,186
LCA filings
$159,745
Avg offered wage
98.8%
DOL certification rate
Top H-1B employers in New York
- 1.Weill Cornell Medical College50 LCAs
- 2.SG Americas Securities, LLC50 LCAs
- 3.Columbia University49 LCAs
- 4.Two Sigma Investments, LP49 LCAs
- 5.Mount Sinai Hospital47 LCAs
- 6.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai46 LCAs
- 7.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center46 LCAs
- 8.NYU Grossman School of Medicine45 LCAs
- 9.Bloomberg L.P.44 LCAs
- 10.Citigroup Global Markets Inc.44 LCAs
Most-filed roles (avg offered wage)
- 1.Associate$207,324
- 2.Software Engineer$178,396
- 3.Analyst$118,695
- 4.Vice President$202,767
- 5.Postdoctoral Associate$73,843
Nearby worksites in the New York metro
Suburban LCAs use the same New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA prevailing wage data — worksite address must match where the employee actually works.
Employer cost
H-1B cost calculator for New York employers
See the full employer cost to file an H-1B in New York: USCIS government fees plus h1bfiling.com flat fees ($2,999 filing; $999 lottery when cap registration is needed). Prevailing wage for the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA is set on the LCA and is not a government filing fee.
Employer size
Organization type
Case type
Employer cost in New York
USCIS fees are national; New York LCA wage is separate and not included below. Government fees 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 filing feeFlat $2,999 — LCA + I-129, lawyer review, RFE response included$2,999
Estimates use published 2026 USCIS fee schedules plus h1bfiling.com flat fees ($2,999 filing). Planning only — not legal advice. Verify current government rules before filing.
Filing context for New York employers
New York ranks #1 nationally with 10,760 filings in FY 2026 Q2. Local demand concentrates in Investment banking, Consulting, Media & ad tech, and related roles. LCA wages follow the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA — NYC metro prevailing wage levels are among the highest nationally.
- Multi-worksite employers need accurate LCA coverage for each borough or NJ location.
- LCAs must list the actual New York worksite address and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA prevailing wage for the SOC code.
- FY 2027 cap registration uses wage-weighted selection — higher OEWS wage levels receive more lottery entries.
We handle every step — H-1B filing in New York
- 01
Create employer account
We onboard your company for New York, NY sponsorship — sign up, add your profile, and choose lottery or full H-1B filing.
- 02
Start a case & invite candidate
We manage candidate intake for your New York worksite — send a secure invite and we collect passport, degree, and resume for LCA and petition prep.
- 03
Certify LCA with DOL
We prepare and file the LCA with correct New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA prevailing wage, SOC code, and worksite. Notice posting and PAF included.
- 04
Prepare Form I-129 petition
Our immigration lawyers prepare Form I-129, draft the employer support letter, and assemble the evidence packet for your New York worksite — structured to reduce RFE risk.
- 05
Submit to USCIS & track
We file with USCIS on your behalf. Track receipt notices, RFEs, and approval in your employer dashboard.
Why New York employers use h1bfiling
New York leads the nation in H-1B volume. Banks, consultancies, media, and tech employers across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Jersey City rely on accurate LCA prevailing wage and I-129 petition workflows.
- Dedicated immigration lawyer on every New York petition — not software-only filing
- Flat $2,999 filing includes RFE attorney response — no surprise hourly invoice
- LCA wage and address checked against the local MSA before DOL filing
- Live employer dashboard — documents, who’s next, LCA and USCIS milestones
- Lottery $999 · filing $2,999 — government fees separate
- Transfers, lottery-selected petitions, extensions, amendments, and H-4 dependents supported
Cap-exempt H-1B for New York universities & research employers
New York's top LCA filers include hospitals and universities alongside finance and tech — many qualify for cap-exempt H-1B filing without the annual lottery.
- · No annual cap lottery for qualifying cap-exempt petitions
- · Often exempt from the ACWIA training fee
- · Still requires certified LCA and Form I-129 with specialty-occupation evidence
- · For-profit employers may qualify when the beneficiary works primarily at a cap-exempt site
Major New York cap-exempt filers include: Columbia University, NYU, Weill Cornell Medical College.
Start cap-exempt or cap-subject case →Universities & research
H-1B filing for New York universities & medical centers
New York City anchors Columbia University, NYU, and Cornell's Weill Cornell Medical College — all top-50 institutions with heavy H-1B LCA volume alongside hospital and research sponsors. University and cap-exempt filings are among the highest nationally in the NYC metro.
Top national universities in New York
Columbia University
U.S. News national rank #12
Research, medicine, engineering
New York University
U.S. News national rank #35
Faculty, IT, health sciences
Weill Cornell Medicine
U.S. News national rank #13
Clinical faculty, research
Common university H-1B roles
- 1.Assistant Professor
- 2.Associate
- 3.Postdoctoral Associate
- 4.Research Scientist
- 5.Software Engineer
Cap-exempt university filing
- Columbia, NYU, and Weill Cornell lead NYC cap-exempt LCA volume
- Hospital systems (Mount Sinai, MSKCC) often file alongside university sponsors
- Multi-campus employers need separate LCAs for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and NJ worksites
- Finance and tech employers in NYC remain cap-subject — lottery registration required
University H-1B filing checklist
- 1List the actual NYC or tri-state worksite on Form ETA-9035
- 2Match prevailing wage to New York-Newark-Jersey City MSA SOC code
- 3Academic titles need degree-to-duty mapping for specialty occupation
- 4Coordinate cap-exempt determination before I-129 assembly
- 5Track PAF and notice posting for each certified LCA
University H-1B FAQ — New York
Do NYC universities need H-1B lottery registration?
Cap-exempt university and qualifying research employers generally do not. Cap-subject private employers in New York must register during the March window. h1bfiling.com handles both paths with lawyer review.
Which New York schools sponsor the most H-1B workers?
Recent DOL disclosure shows Columbia University, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Mount Sinai among top LCA filers in the New York metro.
2026 employer checklist
H-1B filing checklist for New York employers
Lottery dates, wage-weighted selection, document lists, and government fees for employers filing in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA.
FY 2027 cap timeline
- Registration: FY 2027 cap registration: March 4–19, 2026 (noon–5:00 p.m. Eastern)
- USCIS uses wage-weighted selection for FY 2027 — higher OEWS wage levels receive more lottery entries. New York employers should determine wage level using the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA and correct SOC code at registration.
- I-129 filing window: Selected cap petitions: file I-129 April 1–June 30, 2026 for October 1, 2026+ start dates
Wage-weighted lottery entries (New York MSA)
| Level | Entries | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Level IV | 4 entries | Fully competent — ~67th percentile for SOC + local MSA |
| Level III | 3 entries | Experienced — ~50th percentile |
| Level II | 2 entries | Qualified — ~34th percentile |
| Level I | 1 entry | Entry-level — ~17th percentile |
Employer documents
- · Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
- · H Classification Supplement to Form I-129
- · Certified Labor Condition Application (Form ETA-9035)
- · Employer support letter with job duties and specialty-occupation analysis
- · Company evidence (e.g., tax returns, business license, org chart as needed)
- · Filing fee payments (employer-paid; cannot be passed to the employee)
- · Public Access File (PAF) for the certified LCA
Employee documents
- · Copy of valid passport (biographic page)
- · Degree certificates and official transcripts
- · Credential evaluation for foreign degrees (if applicable)
- · Resume/CV consistent with petition forms
- · I-94 arrival record and prior immigration documents (if in the U.S.)
- · Prior H-1B approval notices (I-797) for extensions or transfers
- · Pay stubs for change-of-employer or amendment cases
If the beneficiary is abroad after petition approval, they may need a consular visa interview. Prepare them on job duties, employer details, and required documents before the appointment.
Government fees (employer-paid, 2026)
h1bfiling.com service fees: $999 lottery · $2,999 full filing. Fees below are paid to USCIS/DOL in addition to our flat service fee.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B registration (cap-subject) | $215 | Per beneficiary; FY 2027 window Mar 4–19, 2026 |
| Form I-129 base filing fee | $780 online / $730 paper | $460 / $410 for employers with ≤25 full-time employees |
| ACWIA training fee | $1,500 | $750 for ≤25 employees; exempt for universities & nonprofit research orgs |
| Fraud prevention fee | $500 | Initial petitions and change-of-employer only |
| Asylum program fee | $600 | $300 small employer; $0 nonprofits |
| Premium processing (Form I-907) | $2,965 | Optional; 15 business days to adjudicative action |
| Public Law 114-113 fee | $4,000 | Only if 50+ employees and >50% on H-1B/L-1 |
| Presidential proclamation fee | $100,000 | Certain new petitions for beneficiaries abroad requiring consular processing; verify current status before filing |
Prevailing wage tips — New York MSA
- · Use flag.dol.gov OFLC Wage Search for the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA — not company HQ in another state.
- · Pay the higher of prevailing wage or actual wage paid to similar U.S. workers in the same role.
- · Save the wage lookup printout with date — useful if DOL or USCIS questions the determination.
- · Multi-site employers in the New York metro may need separate LCAs or accurate worksite lists on each LCA.
Common RFE triggers
- · Specialty occupation — degree field does not clearly match job duties
- · Employer-employee relationship at third-party client sites (consulting/staffing)
- · Wage level or SOC code inconsistency between registration, LCA, and I-129
- · Insufficient evidence connecting beneficiary qualifications to the offered role
- · Itinerary or worksite gaps for multi-location or remote assignments
Lawyer review
What lawyer-reviewed means on h1bfiling.com
Every New York case is reviewed by a dedicated immigration lawyer before DOL and USCIS submission — not a self-filing software workflow.
LCA & prevailing wage review
Counsel validates SOC code, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA wage level, and worksite details before DOL filing.
I-129 petition assembly
Lawyers draft the employer support letter, structure specialty-occupation evidence, and review the full packet for consistency across registration, LCA, and I-129.
RFE risk screening
Common denial triggers — third-party worksites, degree-to-duty gaps, wage mismatches — are flagged before submission.
Case status updates
Employers receive updates through the dashboard; counsel responds to case questions within one business day.
Flat fee — questions included
Lottery registration and full filing are quoted at a fixed price. Employer and candidate questions during LCA and I-129 prep are included — not billed hourly per email or call. Government USCIS/DOL fees are separate.
h1bfiling.com is an employer filing service with lawyer review on every case. This page is informational and not legal advice.
Compare options
How h1bfiling compares to New York immigration firms
Hourly immigration counsel in New York often runs $400–$600/hr with unpredictable totals. h1bfiling.com offers flat $2,999 H-1B filing with a dedicated lawyer on every petition — see side-by-side comparisons with Fragomen, BAL, Jackson Lewis, and more.
Top industries in New York
- Investment banking
- Consulting
- Media & ad tech
- Fintech
- Enterprise SaaS
Most sponsored roles
- 1.Software Engineer
- 2.Associate
- 3.Data Scientist
- 4.Financial Analyst
- 5.Technology Consultant
New York filing checklist
- NYC metro prevailing wage levels are among the highest nationally.
- Multi-worksite employers need accurate LCA coverage for each borough or NJ location.
- LCAs must list the actual New York worksite address and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA prevailing wage for the SOC code.
- FY 2027 cap registration uses wage-weighted selection — higher OEWS wage levels receive more lottery entries.
- Consulting employers at client sites need employer–employee relationship and client-letter evidence on I-129.
- Dual intent allows green-card planning during H-1B — change-of-employer transfers typically skip the lottery.
- Flat $2,999 filing includes lawyer review and RFE response attorney work; USCIS fees are separate.
- Save DOL wage lookup printouts; consistency across registration, LCA, and I-129 reduces RFE risk.
H-1B filing in New York — FAQ
How do I file an H-1B petition for an employee in New York?
File a certified LCA with the DOL for your New York worksite, then submit Form I-129 to USCIS. On h1bfiling.com, create an employer account, start a case (New York, NY worksite), invite your candidate, and our lawyers prepare the LCA and I-129 petition — flat fee $2,999.
What is the difference between H-1B filing and an H-1B petition in New York?
"H-1B filing" is the full process: LCA certification, Form I-129 petition assembly, and USCIS submission. The petition (I-129) is the formal request to USCIS. h1bfiling.com handles both for New York employers in one workflow.
How long does an H-1B petition take for New York employers?
LCA certification typically takes 7–14 days (longer if flagged). USCIS I-129 processing varies by service center and premium processing. Most New York employers complete document collection and LCA prep in 2–4 weeks on h1bfiling.com before USCIS submission.
Can I transfer an H-1B employee to my New York worksite?
Yes. Change-of-employer H-1B transfers require a new LCA for your New York location and a new I-129 petition. Candidates already in H-1B status skip the lottery. AC21 porting may apply upon USCIS receipt.
What is the average H-1B wage in New York?
Recent DOL LCA disclosure data shows an average offered annual wage of about $159,745 across certified New York metro filings. Actual wages vary by occupation, OEWS wage level, and employer.
Which New York companies sponsor the most H-1B workers?
Top LCA filers in New York include Weill Cornell Medical College, Columbia University, Mount Sinai Hospital, Bloomberg L.P., Citigroup Global Markets — based on public DOL FLAG disclosure data. LCA volume reflects employer demand; USCIS separately approves petitions.
What is the DOL LCA certification rate in New York?
Recent DOL disclosure shows roughly 98.8% of New York metro LCA applications certified. Certification confirms wage and worksite compliance — it is not the same as USCIS petition approval.
How much does H-1B filing cost for a New York employer?
h1bfiling.com charges $999 for lottery registration and $2,999 for full H-1B filing (LCA + I-129 petition prep). RFE attorney response work is included in the filing flat fee. USCIS government fees — I-129 base fee, ACWIA, fraud prevention, asylum program, and optional premium processing — are separate and paid by the employer.
How does wage-weighted lottery selection affect New York employers?
For FY 2027, USCIS assigns 1–4 lottery entries based on OEWS wage level for the offered salary, SOC code, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA worksite. Level IV registrations receive four entries; Level I receive one.
What documents does a New York employer need for H-1B filing?
Employers typically provide Form I-129, H Classification Supplement, certified LCA, employer support letter, company evidence, and fee payments. Employees provide passport, degrees, transcripts, resume, and prior immigration documents. h1bfiling.com collects these through a secure candidate portal.
Can I transfer an H-1B employee to my New York, NY worksite?
Yes. Change-of-employer transfers require a new LCA for your New York location and a new I-129 petition. Candidates already in H-1B status skip the lottery. AC21 porting may apply upon USCIS receipt.
Do I need an H-1B lawyer or immigration attorney in New York?
Employers in New York, NY benefit from an immigration lawyer for LCA prevailing-wage review, Form I-129 petition prep, and specialty-occupation documentation. h1bfiling.com includes a dedicated H-1B lawyer on every transfer and petition at a flat $2,999 fee — including attorney work if USCIS issues an RFE.
What are the benefits of an H-1B for New York employers?
H-1B lets New York employers hire specialty-occupation professionals for up to six years (with limited extensions tied to green-card progress), supports dual intent, and allows change-of-employer transfers without lottery when the worker is already in status. Spouses and children may seek H-4 status.
How do you qualify for an H-1B for a New York worksite?
The role must be a specialty occupation (typically requiring a related bachelor’s or equivalent), the employer must control the worker as a W-2 employee, and the wage must meet New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA prevailing wage for the SOC code. Cap-subject first-time petitions need lottery selection unless the sponsor is cap-exempt.
Is RFE response included for New York filings?
Yes. On h1bfiling.com, attorney work to respond if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence is included in the $2,999 flat filing fee. There is no separate USCIS fee for an RFE reply. Government fees on the original petition remain separate.
How long can an H-1B worker stay after a New York petition is approved?
H-1B status is generally available for up to six years (often 3+3), with dual intent allowing green-card pursuit. Extensions beyond six years may be available with certain immigrant petition progress. Change-of-employer transfers into New York typically skip the lottery when the worker is already in H-1B status.
Are there extra fees if we have questions during H-1B filing in New York?
No. h1bfiling.com quotes a fixed $2,999 for full H-1B filing in New York, NY. Employer and candidate questions during LCA certification and I-129 preparation are included — you are not billed hourly for emails, status updates, or document follow-up.
Do NYC universities need H-1B lottery registration?
Cap-exempt university and qualifying research employers generally do not. Cap-subject private employers in New York must register during the March window. h1bfiling.com handles both paths with lawyer review.
Which New York schools sponsor the most H-1B workers?
Recent DOL disclosure shows Columbia University, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Mount Sinai among top LCA filers in the New York metro.
Ready to file in New York?
Lawyer-reviewed petitions, flat pricing, and a team that handles LCA through USCIS filing.
Get started — $2,999 per filing