As the 2025 fiscal year approaches, prospective H-1B visa applicants should prepare for the various costs involved in applying for this highly sought-after work visa. The H-1B program, which permits U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, comes with several fees that can vary based on the petition type and the size of the employer.
Here is a breakdown of the costs for obtaining an H-1B visa in 2025:
1. H-1B Registration Fee: $10
– Applicants must first register electronically with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to participate in the H-1B lottery. The registration fee has been set at $10 since March 2024.
2. USCIS Filing Fees:
– Base Filing Fee: $460, applicable to all petitions.
– Anti-Fraud Fee: $500, mandatory for initial and change-of-employer petitions to prevent fraud.
3. Additional Fees for Certain Employers: $4,000
– Employers with more than 50 employees, where more than 50% are on H-1B or L-1 visas, must pay this additional fee, which is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, and will remain in effect until September 30, 2025.
4. Premium Processing Fee (Optional): $2,805
– This service allows employers to expedite the petition processing to 15 calendar days. The fee for premium processing was raised to $2,805 in 2024 and is typically used for urgent hires.
Total Estimated Costs:
– For employers not subject to the additional $4,000 fee, the cost totals $970.
– For those subject to the additional fee, the cost rises to $4,970.
– With premium processing, the total is $3,775 or $7,775, depending on employer status.
Who Pays for the H-1B Visa?
In most cases, the employer covers the primary fees, including the base filing fee, anti-fraud fee, and additional employer fee. However, some fees, like the $10 registration fee, may be passed on to the employee. Employees are also responsible for visa stamping and interview-related costs.
Employers must pay the mandatory fees as per U.S. immigration law, and they are prohibited from passing these costs onto the employee to avoid wage reductions.
