H-1B Visa Costs For 2025: What You Need To Know

If you're thinking about applying for an H-1B work visa in 2025, it’s important to know that there are various costs involved. The fees can change depending on the type of petition you're filing and the employer’s situation. As we approach the 2025 financial year, let’s take a closer look at the costs.

H-1B Visa Costs For 2025: What You Need To Know

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H-1B Visa Costs in 2025

1) H-1B Registration

   Cost: $10  

   Every year, employers must register for the H-1B lottery with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This registration fee has been in place since March 2024.

2) USCIS Filing Fees 

 

   - Base Filing Fee: $460  

   - Anti-Fraud Fee: $500  

   The base filing fee of $460 is required for all H-1B petitions. Additionally, an anti-fraud fee of $500 must be paid for initial applications and change of employer petitions.

3) Additional Fees for Certain Employers

   Cost: $4,000

   Employers with more than 50 employees, where more than 50% of the workforce is on H-1B or L-1 visas, will have to pay this extra fee. This rule is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, and will stay in effect until September 30, 2025.

4) Premium Processing Fee (Optional) 

   Cost: $2,805

   If an employer wants to speed up the H-1B process, they can opt for premium processing. This fee helps process the petition within just 15 calendar days, and it increased to $2,805 in 2024.

Total Estimated Costs

- For Employers Not Subject to the Additional $4,000 Fee: 

  Registration Fee ($10) + Base Filing Fee ($460) + Anti-Fraud Fee ($500) = $970

- For Employers Subject to the Additional $4,000 Fee:  

  Registration Fee ($10) + Base Filing Fee ($460) + Anti-Fraud Fee ($500) + Additional Employer Fee ($4,000) = $4,970

- With Premium Processing:

  If you choose premium processing, you’ll add $2,805 for expedited service. So, the total for employers opting for premium processing will be either $3,775 or $7,775, depending on the employer's status.

Who Pays for the H-1B Visa Fees?

In most cases, the employer is responsible for paying the H-1B visa fees. However, there are some exceptions where certain costs may be passed on to the employee.

Employer’s Responsibility:

- Base Filing Fee ($460): Paid by the employer when submitting the petition.

- Anti-Fraud Fee ($500): The employer covers this mandatory fee for initial and change-of-employer petitions.

- Additional Employer Fee ($4,000): Employers with more than 50 employees, where over 50% are on H-1B or L-1 visas, pay this additional fee.

- Premium Processing Fee ($2,805) (Optional): If the employer wants to speed up the process, they pay this fee.

Employee’s Responsibility:

- H-1B Registration Fee ($10): While the employer generally covers this fee, in some cases, the cost may be passed to the employee.

- Visa Stamping Fees and Other Costs: The employee is typically responsible for fees related to visa stamping and costs during the visa interview at a US embassy or consulate.

Important Regulations

- Employer Must Pay Required Fees: The employer is legally required to cover the mandatory fees like the base filing fee, anti-fraud fee, and additional employer fee.

- Employee Can’t Pay Certain Fees: To ensure that employees’ wages are not affected, the employer cannot ask employees to pay for certain fees, like the base filing fee and the anti-fraud fee.

By keeping track of these fees, both employers and employees can better understand the financial aspects of applying for an H-1B visa. It's always good to be aware of these costs ahead of time, so there are no surprises when it comes to the visa process.