With the USCIS fee calculator, you can select a petition form and see the base filing fees. The fee calculator does not include other associated costs, such as premium processing, the additional H-1B fees that employers pay on top of the I-129 base fee, or the $100,000 petitioner fee now required for most new H-1B filings.
This guide explains how the calculator works, the current filing fees for the various employment-based categories, and how to pay to USCIS.
Beyond Borders' attorneys handle O-1, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, L-1, and I-485 filings for international professionals and Founders. We’ve handled over 4,000 cases with an approval rate over 98%. Our attorneys can provide a cost breakdown for your specific case to help you make an informed decision.
USCIS filing fees vary by visa category. But for this article, our focus is on the employment-based categories. Here’s a tabular breakdown of the fees involved;
The USCIS fee calculator is essentially a form selection tool. To use it, choose the form you intend to file, and it will show the total fees for both online and standard paper filing.
For most employment-based forms, the filing fee includes the base filing fee, the Asylum Program Fee where applicable, and any H.R. 1 surcharges that are now part of the current fee schedule.
This means two applicants can have nearly identical applications but different fees. The factors that typically affect prices are;
Employment-based petition fees have three components;
The fee amounts in the table below reflect all three components.
Use the table below to budget your petition before filing. All fees include the three standard components as explained above;
Note: The I-485 fee of $2,590 currently includes the Form I-131 advance parole document and the Form I-765 employment authorization document.
H-1B petitioners pay the I-129 base fee above plus the following, which are not included in the USCIS fee calculator output:
Premium processing requires USCIS to issue an action, whether an approval, denial, or Request for Evidence, in 15 business days of receipt, approximately 3 calendar weeks. The clock starts when USCIS receives your petition, not when you mail it.
To request premium processing, you file Form I-907 in addition to your underlying petition. The I-907 fee varies by form type.
Employment-based petitions filed by employers are not eligible for USCIS fee waivers. Form I-912 is the USCIS fee waiver request. It is available for certain benefit categories in which the applicant can demonstrate an inability to pay and the filing is for a personal immigration benefit rather than an employer-sponsored petition.
Employment-based I-129 and I-140 petitions are employer filings, and the fee obligation is the employer's. USCIS does not waive employer petition fees based on the individual beneficiary's financial circumstances.
Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances for Form I-485, such as cases based on VAWA, T or U visa status, or certain humanitarian adjustment categories. If you are filing a self-sponsored employment-based petition, such as EB-2NIW or EB-1A, eligibility for a fee waiver is narrow. It’s better to work with immigration specialists at Beyond Border to know what’s possible for your case. USCIS does not return filing fees if a petition is denied or withdrawn.
USCIS accepts the following payment methods.
USCIS does not accept cash for any filing, and all fees are non-refundable. But if USCIS rejects your petition for a technical reason, such as a missing signature or an incorrect fee amount, USCIS will return the filing without adjudicating it and refund the fee. A rejection is different from a denial. Only rejections result in a fee return.
Beyond Borders' attorneys have collectively handled 4,000+ immigration cases across O-1, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, L-1, and I-485 filings. If you want a complete cost breakdown for your specific petition type before committing to a filing strategy, schedule a consultation.
The base filing fee for I-140 is $715 for all employment-based categories. Self-petitioners for EB-1A and EB-2NIW pay an additional Asylum Program fee of $300, while Employer-sponsored petitions pay $600(for employers with a larger number of full-time employees) and $300 (for employers with 25 employees and below). Premium processing adds an extra $2,965 to the cost.
USCIS will reject the entire package and return it without adjudication. You must refile the complete package with the correct fee. And if you pay, USCIS issues refunds by check within six to eight weeks. Underpayments require a full refile.
Yes, it does, but it applies to specific forms like the I-485 and the I-765. Always verify the fee for the specific form before assuming.
No. Employment-based applicants, including EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, O-1, and L-1 petitioners, do not qualify for fee waivers. Fee waivers are limited to VAWA petitioners, T visa holders, U visa holders, and Special Immigrant Juveniles.
USCIS filing fees vary depending on the specific form you are submitting. Forms are specific to each petition, so when using the tool, make sure to select the form for the right category you are applying to.
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