USCIS fees and immigration costs: A guide for employers and foreign nationals

Immigration fees are a standard part of the U.S. employment-based immigration process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges fees to process many petitions, applications and other immigration benefit requests. In addition to USCIS fees, employers and foreign nationals may also pay fees to other government agencies, depending on the immigration category and stage of the case.

The total cost of sponsoring a work visa and related employee immigration expenses vary based on factors such as the benefit requested, employer size and type, filing method, number of family members filing and whether optional premium processing is requested. A single immigration matter may involve multiple government fees over its lifecycle, from a temporary work visa petition through permanent residence and related applications.

Because fee schedules and payment requirements change, this guide explains the principal categories of work-related immigration fees rather than listing amounts that may quickly become outdated. Employers and foreign nationals should confirm the applicable fees immediately before filing. The USCIS Fee Schedule, Form G-1055 is the authoritative source for current USCIS fees.

Estimate current filing costs

Use the BAL USCIS Fee Calculator to estimate fees for common immigration filings and evaluate how different filing scenarios may affect overall costs. The calculator is designed to help businesses and foreign national employees assess USCIS filing fees, although different fees may apply in individual circumstances.

The major categories of employment-based immigration fees

Employment-based immigration costs may include:

• USCIS petition and application filing fees
• Additional employment-based sponsorship fees
• Premium processing fees
• Ancillary government and third-party expenses

Not every fee applies to every case. Requirements depend on the immigration classification, form, employer and facts of the filing.

USCIS petition and application filing fees

USCIS filing fees are government charges submitted with petitions, applications or other immigration benefit requests. According to the USCIS website, a substantial percentage of agency funding comes from application and petition fees and fees are periodically adjusted to help cover operational costs. A filing may be rejected if the correct fee is not submitted and if the proper method of payment is not used.

Employers and foreign nationals should review USCIS instructions for the relevant form, verify the amount in the current fee schedule and confirm the acceptable methods of payment.

Common employment-based filings include:

• Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. Employers use Form I-129 to petition for workers in numerous temporary nonimmigrant visa (NIV) classifications, including H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, L and O classifications. The applicable fee structure varies by classification and may include charges beyond the base filing fee.
• Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. Employers and certain self-petitioners use Form I-140 to request an employment-based immigrant visa (IV) classification like EB-1, EB-2 or EB-3. An approved I-140 establishes that a worker is eligible for permanent residence under the employment-based visa category, but it does not automatically grant permission to work or stay in the U.S.
• Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Eligible foreign nationals in the United States may file Form I-485 (a.k.a. “Green Card” application) when physically present in the U.S. and seeking lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status.
• Related applications. Depending on the case, a foreign national or dependent family member may also file an application for employment authorization, a travel document or an extension or change of nonimmigrant status.

USCIS fees may differ based on the form, filing category and filing method. Certain USCIS forms have different fees for online and paper filings, when online filing is available. Employer size or nonprofit status may also affect particular employment-based fees.

Additional employment-based sponsorship fees

Certain employment-based petitions require additional fees beyond the standard form filing fee. Applicability and fee amount will depend on details such as the petition type, employer size, organizational status, workforce composition and filing history. Employers should not assume that the same fee amount from a prior petition will apply to a new filing. These additional employment-based fees may include:

• H-1B registration fee. Employers seeking to file cap-subject H-1B petitions generally must first submit an electronic registration and pay the required registration fee for each prospective beneficiary.
• Additional H-1B and L visa fees assessments. A separate statutory charge may apply to certain employers with at least 50 employees in the United States when more than 50% of those employees hold H-1B or L-1 status.
• Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee. This additional charge applies to certain H-1B and L filings, including specified initial petitions or changes of employer.
• American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act fee. The ACWIA fee is a training fee that applies to certain H-1B petitions with the amount varying based on the organization’s size. identifies exemptions for specified organizations and filing circumstances.
• Asylum Program Fee. USCIS assesses an Asylum Program Fee on certain NIV and IV petitions that may not be waived. The amount of the fee varies depending on the organization’s number of employees and nonprofit status.

Premium processing fees

Premium processing is an optional expedited service available for designated immigration petitions and applications. A requester uses Form I-907 and pays a premium processing fee in addition to the standard filing fee and any other required charges.

USCIS currently permits premium processing for certain Form I-129 and Form I-140 matters, as well as specified Form I-539 and Form I-765 categories. Availability and processing timeframes depend on the form and classification. Employers and foreign nationals should reference the most current I-907 form details to avoid having an application rejected.

Although premium processing provides expedited USCIS action within the timeframe applicable to the eligible category, it does not guarantee approval. The service may be useful when an employer or foreign national is managing a time-sensitive immigration or business need.

Premium processing fees can change independently from USCIS base filing fees. For example, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) increased premium processing fees effective March 1, 2026, through an inflation-based adjustment.

Green card and adjustment of status fees

Employment-based permanent residence (commonly known as obtaining a green card) is typically a multi-step process that may involve several government filings, each with its own associated fees. Depending on the category and circumstances, it may involve:

• A labor certification process with the Department of Labor
• A Form I-140 immigrant petition filed with USCIS
• Adjustment of status with USCIS or immigrant visa processing through the Department of State
• Related applications for employment authorization or travel documents
• Separate filings for eligible dependent family members

Each stage and the associated costs should be evaluated separately. Processes that do not require a particular government fee, such as a labor certification application to the Department of Labor, may still involve recruitment, advertising, medical examination, document procurement, translation, legal or other expenses.

Ancillary and related immigration costs

The primary work visa or immigrant petition may not represent the full cost of an immigration matter. Additional costs may be associated with:

• Employment authorization applications
• Travel document applications
• Applications to extend or change nonimmigrant status
• Dependent spouse and child filings
• Motions or appeals
• Biometrics-related requirements, where applicable
• Department of State visa application fees
• Medical examinations
• Credential evaluations
• Translations and documentation
• Legal services and administrative expenses

Some are government fees, while others are professional or third-party costs. They should be tracked separately to avoid confusing USCIS filing fees with the overall cost of immigration sponsorship.

Who pays immigration fees?

Responsibility for immigration fees depends on the immigration category, applicable legal requirements, the purpose of the filing and employer policies or expressed contractual obligations between the employer and foreign national employee.

Fees typically paid by employers

Employers generally pay government fees associated with petitions they file as the sponsoring petitioner. Certain H-1B-related fees are specifically imposed on the petitioning employer and may not be passed to the foreign national when doing so would violate applicable immigration or labor requirements.

Employers may also elect to cover premium processing, dependent applications and other related expenses. However, the fact that an employer voluntarily pays a cost in one case does not necessarily mean the same payment arrangement is required or appropriate in every matter.

Because an improper payment or reimbursement arrangement may create compliance concerns, employers should confirm responsibility for each fee with immigration counsel rather than relying solely on a general company practice.

Fees that may be paid by foreign nationals

Depending on the matter and employer policy, a foreign national may pay fees associated with:

• Personal immigration applications (e.g., Naturalization and Certificate for Citizenship)
• Dependent family member filings
• Department of State visa applications
• Medical examinations
• Optional services requested primarily for personal reasons
• Related document or third-party expenses

Payment responsibility cannot be determined solely by identifying the form. The immigration category, applicable regulations, purpose of the request and effect of the payment on the foreign national’s wages may all be relevant.

Factors influencing fee costs

Several factors may affect total costs, including:

• Immigration benefit requested: Temporary work authorization and permanent residence involve different forms and processes.
• Classification: H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, L, O and other employment-based visa categories have different fee structures.
• Employer size or type: Certain fees differ for small employers and nonprofit organizations.
• Workforce composition: Additional statutory fees may apply to specified H-1B- or L-1-dependent filing scenarios.
• Filing method: Online and paper filing fees may differ when both methods are available.
• Premium processing: Expedited processing adds a separate fee.
• Filing stage: An initial petition, extension, amendment or change of employer may trigger different fee requirements.
• Dependent applications: Family members generally submit separate applications when seeking immigration benefits.
• Policy changes: Legislation, regulations, court orders and inflation adjustments can change the amount or applicability of a fee.

These variables explain why two matters involving the same broad visa category may have different costs.

How often do immigration fees change?

USCIS does not update every fee on one fixed annual schedule. The agency may revise its broader fee schedule through rulemaking, while Congress may establish separate charges through legislation. Premium processing fees may also be adjusted for inflation.

A fee change can take effect while a case is being prepared. Employers and foreign nationals should verify the required fee before submission rather than relying on an earlier filing, saved form instructions or an older fee chart. USCIS guidance states that submitting an incorrect fee or payment method may result in rejection.

Current developments can also be affected by litigation. For example, the USCIS fee schedule page as of Sept. 9, 2026, posted an alert that says a federal district court vacated agency guidance implementing a $100,000 payment requirement for certain H-1B petitions. USCIS states that the government is complying with the order while considering next steps. Employers should review the current USCIS Fee Schedule and alerts for updates and consult with immigration counsel.

Fee planning for immigration programs

Employers can improve immigration budget forecasting by:

• Estimating the number and types of anticipated cases
• Identifying likely extensions, amendments and permanent residence filings
• Separating mandatory government fees from optional services and professional expenses
• Accounting for employer-specific fees and possible exemptions
• Considering dependent filings where company policy provides coverage
• Monitoring proposed and final policy changes
• Rechecking fees before each submission

The effects of proposed regulations changing or imposing fees should be modeled separately from current obligations. For example, in August 2026, DHS proposed a rule for an additional fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions. Proposed rules are still in the preliminary stage of the legislative process and are not effective until the agency finalizes the regulation. Employers may wish to consider the potential budget impact, but they should not treat a proposed fee as a current filing requirement unless and until a final rule takes effect.

Plan for program-level impact

The BAL USCIS Fee Calculator is aligned with the current fee schedule and can be used to help estimate common filing costs, assist with budget forecasting and compare different case scenarios. Any final amounts should be confirmed with current agency guidance and immigration counsel before filing.

Frequently asked questions about immigration fees

What are immigration filing fees?

Immigration filing fees are government charges submitted with petitions, applications and other benefit requests. The applicable amount depends on the form, immigration category and circumstances of the filing.

How much does it cost to sponsor a work visa?

There is no single price. Total cost depends on the immigration category, employer characteristics, filing stage, additional program fees, dependent applications, optional premium processing and professional or third-party expenses.

Are immigration fees refundable?

USCIS generally treats filing and biometric service fees as final and nonrefundable, regardless of the action taken on the request or if the request is withdrawn. USCIS maintains refund guidance and may address limited circumstances separately. Premium processing fees will be refunded if USCIS does not comply with the expedited timeline. Review the refund information on the USCIS filing fees page before relying on the availability of a refund.

Are premium processing fees mandatory?

No. Premium processing is an optional expedited service for eligible filings. Its fee is separate from the standard petition or application fee.

Can fees change after case preparation begins?

Yes. A fee schedule, statute or other requirement may change before a case is submitted. The parties should verify the applicable requirements immediately before filing.

How can employers estimate future immigration costs?

Employers can forecast expected case volume by category, identify additional employer-specific charges, evaluate likely premium processing use and account for permanent residence and dependent filings. Alternative scenarios can help model proposed or anticipated fee changes.

What is the difference between a filing fee and a premium processing fee?

A filing fee is the standard government charge for submitting a petition, application or request. A premium processing fee is an additional charge for expedited USCIS action on an eligible filing.

Where can I find current USCIS filing fees?

USCIS publishes its official fees in Form G-1055, Fee Schedule. The BAL USCIS Fee Calculator offers an additional planning tool for common immigration filing scenarios.

For more guidance with calculating fees, contact BAL directly.

This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Government fees, filing requirements and payment responsibilities may change. Any fee amounts referenced may not represent the most current or applicable fees for a particular case. Consult current government guidance and immigration counsel before filing.