US H1B Visa Fees For Indians: H-1B visa is a special type of work visa that allows foreign professionals to work in the US. There are various types of fees for this, most of which usually falls on the shoulders of the employer (company). Indians have a significant share in the H-1B visa category.
Skilled foreign workers, including Indians, need H-1B visas to work in specialty occupations in the US, which are sponsored by the company. This visa attracts a hefty fee which varies depending on the type of petition being filed and the status of the employer (company). Indians account for a significant share of the visa holders.
According to a report by HT, tech companies from India have secured a fifth of all H-1B visas issued by the US. The report quoted PTI as saying that out of a total of 1.3 lakh H-1B visas in the period April-September 2024, 24,766 were issued to companies of Indian origin. After all, how much fee is charged for H-1B visa, let’s know-
Fees for H-1B visa
According to a report , the H-1B visa application fee includes registration fee, filing fee, employer surcharge, premium processing fee (which is optional).
Registration fee: To be a part of the H-1B lottery, applicants have to pay a registration fee of $10. This fee has remained the same since 2024. This fee is usually paid in March each year.
Filing fee: Companies are required to pay a base filing fee of $460 for all H-1B petitions. In addition, an anti-fraud fee of $500 is mandatory for all initial and employer change petitions to prevent fraud and abuse in the H-1B visa program.
Employer surcharge: Companies that have more than 50 employees, half of whom have H-1B or L-1 visas, are required to pay a $4,000 fee under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. This surcharge will be effective until September 30, 2025.
Employers who want to hire foreign workers quickly have to pay this fee too
Premium Processing Fee (Optional): For time-sensitive industries, there is also a premium processing fee, which is optional. Employers who are in a hurry to hire a foreign worker can choose to have their H-1B applications processed in just 15 calendar days by paying a premium processing fee of $2,805.
Who pays what?
The majority of the financial burden of the H-1B visa application process usually falls on the employer’s shoulders. The additional $4,000 fee paid by the employer is also entirely borne by the employer. However, there are specific rules through which fees related to visa stamping and interview can be passed on to employees.
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