H-1B Visa Lottery โ 85,000 Spots, 780,000 Applications in FY2026
The H-1B visa program received 780,000 registrations for just 85,000 available spots in FY2026, a selection rate under 11%. With filing fees now exceeding $10,000 for large employers and premium processing at $2,805, understanding the total cost is crucial. This calculator breaks down all H-1B fees and estimates your chances.
Ready to run the numbers?
Why: H-1B costs have skyrocketed with the new $100K annual fee. Employers face filing fees exceeding $10K for large employers, plus premium processing at $2,805. With 780,000 registrations for just 85,000 spots in FY2026, understanding total costs is crucial for budgeting and hiring decisions.
How: You enter filing type (new/transfer/extension), company size, premium processing, attorney fees, employee count, and number of workers. The calculator computes all USCIS fees: base $460, ACWIA $750โ1,500, fraud prevention $500, Public Law 114-113 $4,000 (25+ employees), and the new $100K annual fee. It shows total filing cost, cost per worker, annual cost with $100K fee, and 3-year total.
Run the calculator when you are ready.
Sample Scenarios
Click a scenario to load example values:
๐ข Large Tech Company (10 workers)
Big tech company hiring 10 H-1B workers with premium processing.
๐ Small Startup (2 workers)
Early-stage startup with 2 H-1B hires, no premium processing.
๐ Transfer Existing Employee
H-1B transfer from one employer to another.
โฐ Extension with Premium
H-1B extension with premium processing for faster approval.
Calculator Inputs
Filing & Company
Costs & Workers
H-1B COST ANALYSIS
Cost Breakdown
Old vs New Fee Structure
Calculation Steps
Base Filing Fee
$460 ร 1 = $460
ACWIA Fee
$1,500 ร 1 = $1,500
Fraud Prevention
$500 ร 1 = $500
Public Law 114-113 (25+ emp)
$4,000 ร 1 = $4,000
Premium Processing
Not selected
Annual $100K Fee
$100,000 ร 1 = $100,000
Attorney Fees
$5,000
TOTAL FILING COST
$11,460
Cost per Worker
$11,460
Annual Cost (with $100K fee)
$111,460
Cost as % of Salary
9.55%
3-Year Total Cost
$334,380
๐ Visa Cost Timeline โ Total Costs at Each Stage
Total H-1B Cost
Total filing cost: $11,460. With $100K fee: $111,460/year. Cost per worker: $11,460.
For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.
Answer Capsule: H-1B costs include base $460, ACWIA $750-1,500, fraud $500, PL 114-113 $4,000 (25+ emp), plus new $100K/year per worker. Use the Visa Cost Timeline to see total costs at each stageโfiling, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3.
What are the key takeaways for H-1B costs?
- โข $100K annual fee: New per-worker annual fee significantly increases H-1B costs for employers.
- โข Base filing $460: Every H-1B petition requires the base I-129 filing fee.
- โข ACWIA fee: $750 for small employers (โค25 employees), $1,500 for large.
- โข Public Law 114-113: $4,000 fee applies to employers with 25+ US employees (50%+ H-1B/L-1).
What did you know about H-1B fees?
JPMorgan recall: Major banks have recalled H-1B workers amid fee increases and policy changes.
Premium processing: $2,805 gets 15-day processing vs. months for standard.
What are the expert tips for H-1B costs?
Budget for 3 Years
H-1B is initially 3 years. Plan for extension costs and potential fee changes.
Small vs Large
Companies with โค25 employees pay half the ACWIA fee ($750 vs $1,500).
What are common H-1B cost FAQs?
Who pays the $100K fee?
The employer is responsible. It cannot be passed to the employee.
When does the $100K fee apply?
The new annual fee applies per H-1B worker. Verify current regulations with USCIS.
What are the key H-1B fee stats?
โ ๏ธ Disclaimer
Fee amounts are estimates. Verify current fees at USCIS.gov. Immigration law changes frequently.
Related Calculators
Canada CRS Score Calculator
Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for Canada Express Entry. Age, education, language, work experience, French bonus.
TrendingCanada Express Entry Calculator
Canada Express Entry eligibility and points calculator for FSW, CEC, and FST programs. FSW 67 points, settlement funds, processing time.
TrendingGreen Card Wait Time Calculator
Estimate your US Green Card wait time based on EB category, country of chargeability, and priority date. Updated with February 2026 visa bulletin data.
TrendingSmart Travel Gear: Cost-Per-Use and Budget Calculator
Calculate travel gear cost-per-use, budget utilization, and savings vs rental. Plan essential travel products for minimalist, business, family, and adventure...
TrendingAcademic Prize NOK Currency Converter
Convert Norwegian kroner prize amounts to major currencies with indicative FX; optional inflation scenario โ verify live rates and official prize figures.
TrendingACA Premium Change Calculator
Calculate your Affordable Care Act health insurance premium changes and subsidies.
Trending