How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor a Work Visa?

Sponsoring a work visa gives U.S. employers access to global talent but comes with significant costs. A first-time H‑1B sponsorship can exceed $9,400, including filing fees, legal fees, compliance, and other expenses, with variations depending on visa type, company size, processing speed, and PERM labor certification. 

Here’s a breakdown of 2026 costs for H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1, and employment-based green cards, including the new $100,000 H‑1B fee, and who bears each cost.

What determines sponsorship costs

Visa sponsorship costs vary widely, and understanding the factors involved helps employers budget accurately and avoid surprises. A small startup sponsoring its first H-1B faces different expenses than a multinational corporation filing hundreds of petitions annually. Four key variables shape what you'll pay:

• Visa category: Nonimmigrant visas (temporary work authorization, like the H-1B or L-1) have different fee structures than immigrant visas (permanent residence). Green card sponsorship involves additional steps, like labor certification, that add time and cost.
• Company size: Small employers with 25 or fewer employees pay reduced filing fees from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Large employers with 50 or more employees where more than half hold H-1B or L-1 status face additional fees of $4,000 to $4,500 per the USCIS fee schedule.
• Processing speed: Standard visa processing through USCIS takes months for the application process to complete. Premium processing, which guarantees expedited processing with a decision within 15 calendar days, costs $2,805 extra and accelerates the overall sponsorship process.
• Legal complexity: First-time sponsors typically face higher setup costs. Employers with established immigration programs often benefit from streamlined processes and lower per-case legal fees.

A small startup sponsoring its first H-1B faces different costs than a large technology company filing its hundredth petition.

How much does a work visa sponsorship cost?

The total cost of sponsoring a work visa depends on the visa category, your company's size, and whether you need expedited processing. Non-immigrant visas like the H-1B, L-1, and O-1 involve different fee structures than employment-based green cards, which require additional steps like PERM labor certification. The sections sections that follow break down costs for each major visa type, followed by a side-by-side comparison to help you plan your budget.

Cost comparison by visa type

The table below shows typical costs, legal fees, and timelines across employment-based visa categories to help compare employer investment.

These ranges reflect the 2026 fee schedules. Actual expenses vary based on case complexity and company size.

For H-1B petitions subject to the $100,000 fee, total costs increase dramatically. Employers should factor this into workforce planning when hiring workers directly from abroad. Timeline estimates assume standard processing; premium processing shortens USCIS review but not consular or PERM phases.

H-1B visa costs

The H-1B is the most common visa for foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree. Total costs range from $2,500 to over $10,000, depending on employer size and premium processing choices.

Here's how the mandatory and optional fees break down:

Beyond government fees and premium processing fees, employers should budget $1,500 to $3,000 for immigration attorney fees. These costs cover preparing Form I-129, drafting support letters, filing the Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor, and responding to any requests for evidence.

Total employer cost: Small employers typically pay $2,500 to $5,000. Large employers, especially those subject to the Public Law 114-113 fee, may spend $6,000 to $10,000 or more per H-1B petition.

These figures don't include the new $100,000 fee that applies to certain petitions filed after September 2025.

The $100,000 H-1B fee

In September 2025, a presidential proclamation imposed a $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions. This fee dramatically increases sponsorship costs for affected employers, though several exemptions apply.

Who must pay the $100,000 fee:

• Employers filing new H-1B petitions on or after September 21, 2025, for workers who are physically outside the United States and do not currently hold valid H-1B status.

Who is exempt from the $100,000 fee:

• Current H-1B holders applying for extensions, amendments, or transfers to new employers
• F-1 students changing to H-1B status through cap-gap or regular change of status
• Workers reentering the United States on existing valid H-1B classification
• Certain nonprofit organizations, including higher education institutions and affiliated research organizations (though detailed exemption criteria remain limited and employers should seek legal advice on eligibility)

USCIS has clarified that exceptions are rare. Litigation continues and exemptions may evolve, so employers should verify current requirements before filing.

For employers sponsoring skilled workers in F-1 status or transferring from another H-1B employer, standard fee structures apply. The fee primarily affects employers hiring workers directly from their home country who have never held H-1B status. The worker's physical location and prior H-1B history determine applicability.

L-1 visa (intracompany transfer)

The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer managers, executives, or employees with specialized knowledge from foreign offices to U.S. operations. Unlike the H-1B, the L-1 has no annual cap or lottery, making it a reliable option for global companies moving key personnel. Total costs range from $3,500 to $12,000 or more depending on company size and petition type.

The L-1 fee structure mirrors the H-1B in many ways, with the same fraud prevention fee and similar tiered filing fees based on employer size. However, the Public Law 114-113 fee is slightly higher for L-1 petitions. Here's the breakdown:

Legal fees for L-1 petitions typically range from $2,000 to $5,000. New office petitions, where a company is establishing its first U.S. presence, require more extensive documentation including business plans, financial projections, and evidence of the foreign company's operations. These cases often fall at the higher end of the legal fee range.

Total employer cost: Small to mid-sized employers typically pay $3,500 to $6,000. Large employers subject to the Public Law 114-113 fee may spend $8,000 to $12,000 or more per L-1 petition.

O-1 visa (extraordinary ability)

The O-1A visa serves individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, business, education, or athletics. Unlike the H-1B, the O-1 has no annual cap, no lottery, and no degree requirement. Instead, approval depends on demonstrating sustained national or international acclaim through awards, publications, high salary, or other evidence of distinction. Total costs range from $3,000 to $8,000.

The O-1 has a simpler government fee structure than the H-1B or L-1. There's no fraud prevention fee, no ACWIA training fee, and no Public Law 114-113 fee. However, the extensive documentation required to prove extraordinary ability often increases legal preparation costs. Here's the breakdown:

L
egal fees for O-1 petitions typically range from $2,000 to $6,000. The higher end reflects the extensive evidence compilation required: gathering recommendation letters from experts, documenting awards and publications, compiling press coverage, and building a persuasive case for extraordinary ability. Cases with weaker initial evidence require more attorney time to strengthen.

Total employer cost: Most employers pay $3,000 to $8,000 per O-1 petition. The absence of fraud prevention and training fees keeps government costs lower than H-1B, but the evidentiary burden often shifts those savings toward legal preparation.

For employers seeking a more permanent solution for foreign workers, employment-based green cards offer an alternative path with different cost considerations.

Green card sponsorship costs (EB-2/EB-3)

Employment-based green cards require a multi-step process: labor certification (PERM), immigrant petition (Form I-140), and adjustment of status or consular processing. This complexity makes green card sponsorship more expensive than nonimmigrant visas.

Here's how costs typically break down between employer and employee:

Legal fees typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 due to the complexity of PERM labor certification through the Department of Labor's permanent employment program, recruitment requirements, and potential audits.

Total employer cost: $6,000 to $10,000 or more for the PERM and I-140 stages.

Total employee cost: $1,675 to $4,500 for adjustment of status, medical exams, and related fees.

The EB-2 visa serves professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability; the EB-3 visa covers those with bachelor's degrees. Both follow similar fee structures.

With multiple types of work visas and green card categories, immigration law clearly defines which costs fall on each party in the sponsorship process.

Who pays: employer vs. employee

Immigration law specifies which party bears responsibility for different sponsorship costs. Employers cannot shift certain mandatory fees to employees, and doing so can result in penalties, petition denials, or compliance violations.

Employers must pay:

• Form I-129 petition filing fee
• ACWIA training fee (American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act)
• Fraud prevention and detection fee
• Public Law 114-113 fee (if applicable)
• All PERM labor certification costs, including recruitment to test U.S. workers' availability

Employees typically pay:

• Consular processing visa application fees ($205 to $315 at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the foreign national's home country)
• Form I-485 adjustment of status filing fee
• Medical examination costs
• Document translations and credential evaluations
• Biometrics fees

Costs that can be negotiated:

• Premium processing (either party may pay)
• Relocation and travel expenses
• Certain legal fees for employee-side green card filings

Important note: Passing mandatory employer fees to the employee violates Department of Labor regulations. Such arrangements can trigger Labor Condition Application (LCA) violations, back-wage liability, and denial of future visa petitions. U.S. employers should maintain clear documentation of fee payment to demonstrate compliance during audits.

With these obligations in mind, comparing total sponsorship costs across different types of work visas helps employers budget effectively.

Manage costs with the right partner

Filing errors, missed deadlines, and requests for evidence don't just delay cases. They add costs. A single RFE can mean additional legal fees, lost productivity, and potentially starting over if a petition is denied. For employers navigating the $100,000 H-1B fee or multi-year green card timelines, getting it right the first time matters.

Lighthouse helps employers control sponsorship costs through accurate eligibility assessment upfront, so you pursue the right visa category from the start. Our platform tracks deadlines, organizes documentation, and flags potential issues before they become expensive problems. Experienced case managers and legal review strengthen petitions, reducing RFE rates and keeping cases on schedule.

Whether you're sponsoring your first H-1B or managing a global workforce across multiple visa categories, Lighthouse provides the transparency and expertise to budget accurately and file confidently.

Get a cost estimate for your sponsorship case.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an employer pay to sponsor a visa?

Employer costs range from $2,500 to over $15,000 depending on the visa category. H-1B sponsorship typically costs $3,000 to $10,000 for most employers. Green card sponsorship through the EB-2 or EB-3 category costs $6,000 to $15,000 or more when including PERM labor certification and legal fees.

Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

Only employers filing new H-1B petitions after September 21, 2025, for workers who are outside the United States and do not currently hold valid H-1B status. Extensions, amendments, transfers, and F-1-to-H-1B changes of status are exempt from this fee.

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a work visa?

No. Work visa sponsorship requires an employer, not an individual citizen. U.S. citizens can sponsor family members for immigrant visas (green cards), which then provide unrestricted work authorization. That process is family-based sponsorship, not work visa sponsorship.

Is it difficult to sponsor a work visa?

Difficulty varies. Employers need a legitimate job offer, and H-1B requires winning the lottery and meeting specialty occupation and prevailing wage requirements. Green card sponsorship adds PERM recruitment and longer processing times. Working with an experienced immigration attorney or service provider streamlines the process and reduces compliance risks.

Are sponsorship costs tax-deductible?

Some visa sponsorship costs may qualify as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Filing fees, legal fees, and recruitment costs are often deductible. Consult a tax professional for legal advice on which expenses qualify based on your specific situation.