If you’re staring at a stack of immigration paperwork right now, you’re probably feeling that familiar mix of hope and sheer dread. The H-1B lottery is stressful enough without the financial gymnastics. Honestly, it’s not just about having the right skills anymore; it’s about having a budget that can survive the latest rounds of government price hikes.
Ever since the fee changes fully kicked in, the math for an h1b visa application fee has become a moving target.
You’ve got registration fees that used to be the price of a sandwich now costing hundreds. You’ve got new "Asylum Program Fees" that didn't even exist a couple of years ago. And as of March 1, 2026, the cost to speed things up—what we call Premium Processing—is jumping again. If you’re an employer, your wallet is lighter. If you’re an applicant, the pressure to get it right the first time is through the roof.
The Sticker Shock: Breaking Down the Fees
Basically, there is no single "fee." It’s a bundle. Think of it like a cable bill where they keep adding "service charges" you didn’t ask for but have to pay anyway.
First, there’s the H-1B Registration Fee. This is the entry ticket. It used to be $10. Just ten bucks! Those days are long gone. Now, it’s **$215 per beneficiary**. That’s a 2,050% increase if you’re counting. USCIS did this to stop companies from "spamming" the lottery with thousands of low-quality entries, and it’s definitely changed the game for smaller startups.
Once you actually win the lottery (congrats, by the way), the real spending begins.
The I-129 Base Filing Fee
This is the core of the application. The government changed how they charge this based on who you are.
- Standard Employers: $780.
- Small Employers (25 or fewer employees): $460.
- Non-profits: $460.
Wait, it gets more complicated.
The ACWIA Training Fee
This one is for the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act. It’s meant to fund training for U.S. workers so, theoretically, we won't need as many H-1Bs later.
- Employers with 26+ employees: $1,500.
- Employers with 25 or fewer: $750.
- Some schools and research non-profits: $0 (Exempt).
The Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee
Every new H-1B or change-of-employer petition needs this. It’s a flat $500. You don't usually pay this for a simple extension with the same company, but if you’re switching jobs, your new boss is cutting this check.
The New Kid on the Block: The Asylum Program Fee
This is the one that caught everyone off guard recently. USCIS decided that the costs of processing asylum seekers should be partially funded by the employers of high-skilled foreign workers. Sorta weird, right? But it’s the law.
If you’re a big company, you’re paying $600. If you’re a small business, it’s $300. Non-profits get a pass on this one. It’s a mandatory "tax" added to every I-129 petition.
Why March 1, 2026, is a Date to Circle in Red
If you’re the impatient type—or your project starts in three weeks—you probably want Premium Processing. This is the service where USCIS promises a response in 15 business days instead of 15 months.
Up until now, it was $2,805.
But according to the final rule published in January 2026, the fee for Form I-907 is increasing to $2,965 for H-1B petitions postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.
That is nearly three grand just for the "fast pass." It’s an inflation-based adjustment mandated by the USCIS Stabilization Act. If you’re filing a petition right now, you might want to rush that courier to the post office before the end of February to save those $160. Every bit helps.
Who Actually Pays?
This is where people get into legal trouble. You’ve got to be careful here.
Under Department of Labor rules, the employer must pay the ACWIA fee and the Fraud fee. They also generally have to pay the base filing fee and the Asylum fee. Why? Because the law says these are "business expenses." If the employee pays them, and it effectively brings their salary below the "prevailing wage," the company is in hot water.
However, the Premium Processing fee is a bit of a grey area. If the employee wants it for personal reasons (like they have a vacation planned and need their visa stamped), they can usually pay it. But if the company needs the worker to start ASAP for a project, the company should probably pay.
Then there’s the $205 MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee. This is what you pay to the U.S. Embassy for your actual interview. Most companies reimburse this, but technically, the employee often pays it upfront.
The "50/50" Rule for Huge Companies
There is one more fee that is absolutely eye-watering. It’s for companies that have more than 50 employees in the U.S., where more than 50% of them are on H-1B or L-1 visas. We call these "H-1B dependent" firms.
✨ Don't miss: The Lion's Den: Why This Private Equity Tell-All Still Stings
If a company falls into this bucket, they have to pay a $4,000 Public Law 114-113 fee for new petitions.
This is why you’ll see some of the big outsourcing firms being very selective about who they sponsor. Adding $4,000 on top of the $780 base fee, the $1,500 training fee, and the $500 fraud fee makes a single worker incredibly expensive.
Real Talk: The 2026 Cost Reality
Let's put it together. If you are a mid-sized company (30 employees) hiring a new H-1B worker and you want it done fast:
- Registration: $215
- Base Fee: $780
- ACWIA Fee: $1,500
- Fraud Fee: $500
- Asylum Fee: $600
- Premium Processing (Post-March 1): $2,965
Total: $6,560.
And that doesn't even include the lawyer. Most immigration attorneys charge between $2,000 and $5,000 for a solid H-1B filing. You are looking at a **$10,000 investment** before the person even walks through the door.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are managing this process, don't just wing it.
- Audit your employee count today. Since fees change if you have more or less than 25 employees, make sure your HR records are exact. A mistake here leads to a "Rejection for Incorrect Fee," which can ruin your lottery chances.
- Check the postmark. If you are using Premium Processing around the end of February, use a service with a clear tracking and postmark date. If it hits USCIS on March 1 with the old fee, they will send the whole packet back.
- Separate the checks. Do not write one giant check for everything. USCIS likes separate checks for the filing fee, the fraud fee, and the premium processing fee. If one is wrong, the others might still be okay, or it makes it easier for them to process.
- Validate Non-Profit Status. If you are a non-profit, have your IRS 501(c)(3) letter ready. You save thousands, but only if you prove you’re eligible.
Getting the h1b visa application fee right is the first hurdle. It’s annoying and expensive, but it's the price of entry for the best talent in the world. Just make sure you’re using the 2026 rates, not the outdated blogs from three years ago.