The H-1B visa remains the primary pathway for U.S. architecture firms to hire foreign-born talent, with architecture, engineering, and surveying occupations accounting for approximately 10% of all approved H-1B petitions in recent fiscal years. However, 2026 marks a pivotal transition year: a $100,000 fee for certain petitions (currently under appeal), a wage-weighted lottery system launching for FY 2027, and continued high demand make strategic planning essential. Whether you're an architect seeking U.S. employment or a firm needing international talent, understanding the current landscape is critical—and Alma's H-1B visa services can help you execute a winning strategy with speed and precision.
The H-1B is a non-immigrant work visa allowing U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in "specialty occupations"—positions requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Architecture is explicitly listed among specialty occupations alongside engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, medicine, and education.
USCIS issues 65,000 H-1B visas annually under the regular cap, plus an additional 20,000 for beneficiaries holding U.S. master's degrees or higher. For FY 2026, approximately 120,141 registrations were selected through the lottery process, demonstrating continued high demand.
Architecture as a profession inherently satisfies H-1B eligibility criteria:
This combination makes architects well-positioned for H-1B approval, though the process requires careful documentation and strategic timing.
To qualify for H-1B sponsorship, architects must demonstrate:
One common misconception is that architects must hold U.S. licensure to obtain H-1B status. Federal regulations under 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(C) explicitly permit unlicensed professionals to work if they operate under licensed supervision.
States like California support this through Business and Professions Code sections 5535.2 and 5535.3, which allow corporations to offer architectural services through unlicensed individuals under licensed oversight. Successful petitions typically use:
This creates opportunities for talented foreign graduates who haven't yet completed U.S. licensing requirements.
The sponsoring architecture firm must:
Alma's business immigration platform streamlines these compliance requirements with built-in trackers, proactive alerts, and audit-ready records.
The H-1B cap is typically reached within days of the registration period opening, necessitating a lottery system:
For selected registrations, the process continues:
For architecture professionals already in the U.S. on F-1 OPT, the transition pathway offers significant advantages—including avoiding the new $100,000 fee discussed below.
The government fee structure for FY 2026 includes the following: The Registration Fee is $215 per beneficiary per lottery. The Base Filing Fee (Form I-129) is $780 for employers with 26 or more employees, or $460 for small employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees and nonprofits. The Asylum Program Fee is $600 for large employers, $300 for small employers, or $0 for nonprofits. The ACWIA Fee ranges from $750 to $1,500 based on employer size. The Fraud Prevention Fee is $500 for all H-1B petitions. The Public Law Fee is $4,000 for employers with 50 or more employees where more than 50% of the workforce holds H-1B or L-1 status. Premium Processing costs $2,965 (effective March 1, 2026), guaranteeing 15-business-day processing. The New Abroad Filing Fee is $100,000 for petitions filed from outside the U.S. and is currently under appeal (see details below). Standard petition fees range from approximately $2,410 to $3,340 for small employers and $2,730 to $3,740 for large employers depending on employer characteristics—before the potential $100,000 surcharge.
Beyond government fees, professional legal support typically includes:
Alma's transparent pricing structure includes administrative charges, platform access, and up to three free consultation calls between attorney and employee per case.
On September 19, 2025, the administration issued a proclamation requiring a one-time $100,000 fee for all new H-1B petitions filed from outside the U.S., effective September 21, 2025 through September 21, 2026 (unless extended).
Important context: The fee was upheld by the D.C. District Court on December 23, 2025, but is currently under expedited appeal with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenging its legality. Oral arguments are expected in February 2026, with a ruling likely in early 2026.
Critical exemptions include:
This fundamentally changes hiring economics for architecture firms recruiting directly from abroad versus sponsoring graduates already in the country.
Effective February 27, 2026, USCIS implements a wage-weighted lottery for FY 2027 registrations. Selection odds now depend on Department of Labor prevailing wage levels:
For architecture firms, this means:
The H-1B isn't the only option for foreign architects. Alternative pathways include:
Architects from Canada and Mexico qualify for TN status under USMCA provisions:
Australian architects benefit from the E-3 visa:
Architects with exceptional achievements may qualify for O-1A status:
The optimal visa depends on nationality, career stage, and long-term goals. Alma offers free consultations to help architects evaluate all options and develop a comprehensive strategy.
Architecture firms sponsoring H-1B workers must:
Certain employers are exempt from the H-1B cap:
Architects working for university architecture schools or affiliated research entities may bypass the lottery entirely.
Alma's platform helps firms manage immigration with:
H-1B status is initially granted for three years, extendable to a maximum of six years. Extensions require:
Alma's extension service costs $3,000, with guaranteed two-week document turnaround.
For permanent residency, architects have several options:
The EB-2 NIW pathway is particularly attractive for architects who can demonstrate their work benefits the U.S. national interest—such as sustainable design expertise or critical infrastructure experience.
The 2026 H-1B landscape demands expertise, speed, and strategic thinking. Alma delivers:
For architecture firms managing multiple foreign nationals, Alma's business immigration platform provides scalable workflows, compliance tracking, and dedicated support.
Get started with a free consultation to evaluate your H-1B strategy for 2026.
An RFE isn't a denial—it's USCIS requesting additional documentation to support your case. Common RFE topics for architects include proving the position is a specialty occupation, demonstrating degree equivalency, or clarifying the employer-employee relationship. You typically have 60-87 days to respond with supplemental evidence. Alma's legal fees include comprehensive RFE response preparation, and business clients on Growth and Enterprise plans receive one free refile if the initial petition is denied.
Yes, H-1B portability allows you to begin working for a new employer once they file an H-1B transfer petition on your behalf—you don't need to wait for approval. The new employer must file their own LCA, I-129 petition, and demonstrate the position meets specialty occupation requirements. Alma's H-1B change of employer service costs $3,000, maintaining continuity in your architectural career without status gaps.
Entry-level architectural positions typically fall at Wage Level I or II, receiving fewer weighted entries (1-2) compared to senior roles at Level III-IV (3-4 entries). This doesn't disqualify entry-level candidates—it reduces their statistical selection probability. Architecture firms can strategically respond by slightly increasing base salaries to reach Level II thresholds, focusing H-1B sponsorship on more senior roles, or exploring cap-exempt employers like universities. The wage levels are determined by DOL prevailing wage data for specific geographic areas and occupations.
Foreign-educated architects typically need a credential evaluation from a NACES or AICE member organization. The evaluation compares your degree against U.S. educational standards and determines equivalency (e.g., equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor of Architecture). You'll need official transcripts, degree certificates, and sometimes course syllabi. If your degree is from a non-English speaking country, certified translations are required. Architecture degrees from countries with NAAB-recognized programs may have streamlined evaluation processes.
This depends on your specific circumstances. The $100,000 fee applies to new H-1B petitions filed from abroad requiring consular processing. If you're physically in the U.S. on B-1/B-2 tourist status, you generally cannot change to H-1B status domestically (B visas explicitly prohibit intent to immigrate or work). You would need to return abroad for consular processing, potentially triggering the fee. The safest strategy is maintaining F-1 OPT status or another work-authorized status that permits domestic change of status. Consult an Alma attorney to evaluate your specific situation.
