A list of all the fees related to H-1B application

If you are thinking of applying for an H1B visa in 2018 you have probably been wondering about the various fee attached to each application. It can be a costly process and it is not always clear where the money is going. In this article we will try to put your mind at rest by walking you through each of these fees, telling you how much they cost, what they are used for and whether you or your employer is responsible for paying them.

The overall cost of an H1B visa application varies depending on the size of the company submitting it. The cost of filing an application for the fiscal year 2018 has not increased at all from the cost in 2017. In companies that have over fifty employees, with fifty percent of these made up of non-immigrant workers, the employer will need to pay a fee of $4000 for each new and transfer application. However, extension applications made by the employer for someone who does not wish to change employment will be subject to this fee.

Base filing fee This is a standard fee of $460 that must be paid on applications. This is always paid by the employer or sponsor.

AICWA fee This fee was introduced under the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998. The fee varies depending on the size of the company. It is $750 for companies with one to twenty five full time staff or $1500 for companies with twenty six or more full time staff. The employer or sponsor is required by law to pay this fee.

Fraud prevention & detection fee This $500 fee is applicable to all new and change of employer applications. Apart from applications from Chile or Singapore, which will be exempt from this fee. It is your employer’s duty to pay this fee.

Public law 114–113 fee This $4,000 fee is applicable to each new and transfer application in companies with over fifty employees, where fifty percent is made up of non-immigrant workers. Employers are required to pay this fee under the terms of the Omnibus Bill passed in 2016.

Premium processing This is an optional fee of $1,225 that can be paid by either you or your employer. Paying this fee will entitle you to quicker processing on your application. If you choose to pay this fee, your employer must prove to the Department of Labour that it was done at your request.

Attorney fee This fee will be paid to an attorney for their role in the application process. This fee will vary greatly from case to case. It is your employer’s duty to pay this fee.

Visa stamp fee If your application has been sent for consular processing you will be required to pay any immigration or stamp fees. Your employer has no obligation to pay these fees.

Hopefully you will now have a better understanding of how much the application process will cost and where the money is being used. If you have had any experiences with H1B visa application fees or have any advice for anyone making an application, let us know in our comments section.

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Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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