United States work visa fees

Applicant visa fees

The State Department charges US$205 for petition-based temporary worker visas in the H, L, O, P, Q and R classes. The fee is paid for the visa application after the relevant petition process ^{Source 1,Source 2}.

E-category treaty trader, treaty investor and Australian specialty occupation visa applications cost US$315 ^{Source 1,Source 2}.

Employer petition charges

Many temporary work visas require an employer petition filed with US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Form I-129 charges vary by classification and employer status, so there is no single employer total ^{Source 3}.

The base H-1B petition charge is US$780. A qualifying small employer or nonprofit pays US$460. The base L petition charge is US$1,385, or US$695 for a qualifying small employer or nonprofit ^{Source 3}.

Extra H-1B charges

An H-1B petition can carry an American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act charge of US$1,500, reduced to US$750 for employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Exemptions are listed in the USCIS fee schedule ^{Source 3}.

A separate US$4,000 charge applies to specified H-1B petitioners with 50 or more US employees when more than half are in H-1B or L-1 status. The asylum program fee and other filing charges can apply too ^{Source 3}.

Issuance fee after approval

A nationality-based reciprocity fee may be due after visa approval. The State Department reciprocity table gives the amount and visa validity for each nationality and classification ^{Source 1,Source 4}.