If you’re a founder or a hiring manager in 2026, you probably already know that "hiring the best talent" is a lot more expensive than just a salary and a desk. When that talent needs a visa, the math gets messy fast. You've heard rumors about massive new fees, and honestly, the landscape has shifted so much lately that even seasoned immigration attorneys are double-checking their spreadsheets.
So, how much does H1B sponsorship cost right now?
The short answer: it depends on your company size, but you're looking at a baseline of roughly $4,000 to $10,000 for a standard case. However, for certain new hires coming from overseas, a controversial and massive new fee has entered the chat.
The Sticker Shock: Breaking Down the USCIS Fees
USCIS doesn't just charge one fee. They layer them like a wedding cake, and most of it is non-negotiable.
First, there’s the H-1B Registration Fee. Back in the day, this was a measly ten dollars. Not anymore. For the FY 2026 cap season, you’re paying $215 just to put a name in the lottery. If that person doesn't get picked? You don't get that money back. It's basically the cost of a ticket to the world's most stressful raffle.
Once a candidate is selected, the real bills start arriving. The Basic Filing Fee (Form I-129) currently sits at $780 for standard employers. If you're a small employer (25 or fewer full-time employees) or a non-profit, you get a break at $460.
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Then you have the ACWIA (Training) Fee. This goes toward training U.S. workers, and it's $1,500 if you have more than 25 employees, or $750 if you’re smaller. Don't forget the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee, which is a flat **$500** for new petitions.
The New "Asylum Program Fee"
One of the newer additions that people often miss is the Asylum Program Fee. Introduced to help fund the backlogs in the asylum system, this adds $600 for large companies or $300 for small ones. Non-profits are exempt here, which is a rare bit of good news.
The $100,000 Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the 2025 Presidential Proclamation. As of late 2025 and into 2026, there is a requirement for a $100,000 payment for certain new H-1B petitions where the worker is outside the U.S.
This fee is currently a legal lightning rod. It’s being challenged in multiple federal courts by groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. While the "prose" of the law says it applies to new filings, in practice, it’s being applied narrowly. Most F-1 students already in the U.S. on OPT are currently exempt from this $100k hit when they transition to H-1B. But if you’re hiring a specialist directly from London or Bangalore who hasn't held an H-1B before, you need to check the very latest court rulings before you wire any money.
Professional Services: What Attorneys Actually Charge
You could try to file the paperwork yourself. You could also try to fix your own car's transmission. Both are likely to end in a massive headache.
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Most companies hire immigration counsel to handle the LCA (Labor Condition Application) and the complex I-129 filing. Attorney fees generally range from $2,500 to $5,000 per case. If the case is complex—maybe the job title is "vague" or the candidate’s degree is from a non-traditional school—those hours add up.
The "Need it Now" Tax: Premium Processing
If you don't want to wait six months to find out if your lead engineer can actually start work, you pay for Premium Processing.
As of March 1, 2026, the Premium Processing fee is jumping to $2,965. This is an inflation-based adjustment from the previous $2,805. It guarantees a response from USCIS in 15 business days. Without it? You’re at the mercy of the "standard" queue, which has been hovering around 4 to 8 months depending on the service center.
Who Actually Pays the Bill?
This is a big legal point: The employer must pay the majority of these costs.
Specifically, the ACWIA fee and the Fraud fee cannot be paid by the employee. Federal law is very strict here. If you try to recoup these costs from the worker’s paycheck, you're looking at heavy fines and potentially being barred from the program entirely. The attorney fees are generally considered a business expense as well.
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The only fee the employee is technically allowed to pay is the Premium Processing fee—but only if the request for speed is for their personal reasons (like a planned vacation) rather than a business necessity.
A Practical 2026 Cost Example
Let's look at a "Small Tech Startup" (under 25 employees) hiring a developer already in the U.S. on a student visa.
- Registration: $215
- Base Filing: $460
- ACWIA: $750
- Fraud Fee: $500
- Asylum Fee: $300
- Attorney Fees (Estimated): $3,500
- Premium Processing (Optional but common): $2,965
Total: $8,690
For a "Big Tech" firm with 500+ employees, that same hire (assuming no $100k proclamation fee) would cost roughly **$10,560**.
Actionable Next Steps for 2026 Hiring
If you're planning to sponsor someone this year, don't wait until the March lottery window opens.
- Audit your employee count. Since the fees for "small" vs "large" employers vary significantly, ensure your FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) count is accurate as of the filing date.
- Verify the $100,000 status. Before recruiting abroad, have your legal team confirm the current status of the "National Interest" exemptions for the $100k proclamation fee.
- Budget for the March 1st Hike. If you are filing extensions or transfers right now, get them postmarked before March 1 to save on the Premium Processing increase.
- Initiate the LCA early. The Department of Labor still takes time to certify prevailing wages. This is often the bottleneck that causes companies to miss the lottery window.
The H-1B process isn't just a legal hurdle; it's a significant capital investment. Understanding these numbers upfront prevents that awkward conversation with the CFO three months down the line when the "hidden" fees start hitting the balance sheet.