For HR Visa Guide
Who Must Pay the Legal and Government Filing Fees
An overview of who is responsible for paying legal and government filing fees.
Updated 2026
01
H-1B
| Employer's Obligations | Optional Employee Expenses |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee: $215 H-1B Registration fee (if subject to cap) | Premium Processing Fee: $2,965 |
| Filing Fee: $780 / $730 paper/online filing fee | Educational Evaluations, Translations: At cost |
| Filing Fee: $460 paper/online (small employer or nonprofit) | Dependent H-4 Filing Fee: $470 / $420 paper/online |
| Filing Fee: $600 or $300 Asylum Program Fee (as applicable) | Dependent H-4 Legal Fee: $750 ($950 if combined with I-765 EAD) |
| Filing Fee: $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee | Spouse’s I-765 EAD (if the principal has an approved I-140): Filing Fee: $520 / $470 paper/online |
| Filing Fee: $4,000 Pub. Law 114-113 (as applicable) | Spouse’s I-765 EAD (if the principal has an approved I-140): Legal Fee: $750 (standalone EAD filing) |
| Filing Fee: $750 or $1,500 ACWIA Fee (as applicable) | |
| Legal Fee: $3,000-$4,000 |
02
PERM
| Employer's Obligations | Optional Employee Expenses |
|---|---|
| Recruitment/Advertising: At cost (average $1,500-$2,500) | |
| Filing Fee: N/A | |
| Legal Fee: $7,000 |
03
I-140
| Employer's Obligations | Optional Employee Expenses |
|---|---|
| The employer typically pays the fees but has no legal obligation to do so. | Filing Fee: $715 / $665 paper/online |
| Filing Fee: $300 or $600 Asylum Program Fee (as applicable) | |
| Premium Processing Fee: $2,965 | |
| Legal Fee: $5,000-$20,000 |
04
I-485
| Employer's Obligations | Optional Employee Expenses |
|---|---|
| The employer typically pays the fees but has no legal obligation to do so. | Filing Fee $1,440 / $1,390 paper/online |
| Filing Fee: Dependents less than 14 years old: $950 / $900 | |
| Legal Fee: $3,250 (Principal Applicant) | |
| Legal Fee: $2,750 (Spouse) | |
| Legal Fee: $2,250 (Dependent Child) |
Please Note
Government filing fees are always subject to change. We will do our best to provide you with the most accurate estimates
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