The H-1B work visa program of the US which allows employers there to hire foreign workers, also comes with several fees that varies depending on the type of petition being filed as well as the employer’s status.
Thus, it is important to be aware of the costs associated in applying for the highly sought-after visa, as the 2025 financial year comes closer.
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H-1B visa costs in 2025
1) H-1B registration
Cost: $10
This registration fee with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in March each year for the H-1B lottery has been in place since March 2024.
2. USCIS filing
Base filing fee: $460
Anti-fraud fee: $500
The base $460 fee applies to all H-1B petitions, while the $500 anti-fraud fee is compulsory for all initial and change of employer petitions.
3. Additional fees for certain employers
Cost: $4,000
This applies to employers with more than 50 employees, where more than 50% of the workforce is on H-1B or L-1 visas, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, and will remain in effect until September 30, 2025.
4. Premium processing fee (optional)
Cost: $2,805
This is an optional service for employers to expedite the H-1B petitions processing to just 15 calendar days. It increased in 2024 to $2,805.
Total estimated costs
For employers not subject to the additional $4,000 fee:
$10 (registration fee) + $460 (base filing fee) + $500 (anti-fraud fee) = $970
For Employers Subject to the Additional $4,000 Fee:
$10 (registration Fee) + $460 (base filing fee) + $500 (anti-fraud fee) + $4,000 (additional employer fee) = $4,970
With Premium Processing:
$2,805 will be added for the expedited processing, which brings the total for employers opting for premium processing to $3,775 or $7,775, depending on the employer status.
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Who pays for the H-1B visa?
The responsibility of paying H-1B visa fees usually falls on the employer, but there are some rules about some costs which may get passed down to the employee
Employer
Base Filing Fee ($460): The employer is to pay this while filing the H-1B petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Anti-Fraud Fee ($500): This fee is mandatory for initial and change-of-employer petitions and is the employer’s responsibility to cover the cost.
Additional Employer Fee ($4,000): Employers with more than 50 employees, where more than 50% of the workforce is on H-1B or L-1 visas, must pay this additional fee as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016.
Premium Processing Fee ($2,805) (Optional): The employer who wants premium processing to speed up the application process, must pay this $2,805 fee.
Employee
H-1B registration fee ($10): This is generally paid by the employer as part of the electronic registration process, but in some cases, the employer may pass this cost on to the employee.
Visa Stamping Fees, other costs: The employee is usually responsible for the visa stamping fees as well as the costs incurred during the visa interview process at a US embassy or consulate.
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Important Regulations
Employer must pay the required fees: The employer must pay for the mandatory fees, which includes the base filing fee, anti-fraud fee, and additional employer fee, according to US immigration laws.
Employee can’t pay certain fees: The employer is prohibited from requiring employees to pay for certain fees, like the base filing fee a ts well as the anti-fraud fee, to prevent the employee’s wages from being reduced due to these costs.