Employer guides · Updated June 2026 · 6 min read

H-1B Filing Cost for Employers in 2026 (Full Breakdown)

What employers pay for H-1B change-of-employer transfers in 2026: legal fees, USCIS fees, premium processing, and how flat-fee filing compares.

Employer H-1B costs split into two buckets: professional fees (legal/filing service) and government fees (USCIS and DOL). Premium processing is optional but common for transfers with fixed start dates. Amounts below are for planning — confirm current USCIS fee rule before filing.

Typical employer H-1B transfer budget (2026)

01h1bfiling.com filing service$2,999
02h1bfiling.com lottery only$999
03USCIS I-129 base feeSet by USCIS fee schedule
04USCIS anti-fraud feeIf applicable per case type
05Premium processing (optional)USCIS fee — 15 business days
06Traditional law firm (typical)$4,000–$12,000+ total

What's included in h1bfiling's flat fee

LCA preparation, prevailing wage check, and DOL filing
Form I-129 petition, employer support letter, and evidence packet
Dedicated immigration lawyer review
Secure candidate document portal and employer case tracking
Not included: USCIS government fees, premium processing, or RFE work outside scope

How to reduce surprise costs

Use flat-fee scope for standard transfer cases
Confirm RFE response pricing before filing
Budget USCIS and premium fees separately in hiring plans
File early — rush fees and role delays cost more than filing service savings

Transparent employer pricing

No hourly billing — see exactly what you pay before you start a case.

View pricing

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — consult qualified counsel for your case.