Comprehensive cost data compiled from USCIS reports, federal filings, and industry analysis
Key Takeaways
- H-1B sponsorship averages $9,400 for first-time applications. Between government filing fees, legal costs, and mandatory surcharges, employers face significant upfront investment. Alma's transparent pricing helps businesses budget accurately from day one.
- USCIS processed 13.16 million cases in FY 2024. The immigration system continues operating at massive scale, with 399,395 H-1B petitions approved and processing times varying dramatically by form type.
- New 2024 fee schedule increased costs substantially. H-1B registration fees jumped from $10 to $215 (a 2,050% increase), while new asylum program fees range from $0 to $600 based on employer size.
- Congressional appropriations cover just 4.5% of the USCIS budget. The remaining share of the agency's $6.3 billion budget comes from user fees, meaning applicants and employers directly fund the immigration system.
- Premium processing costs $2,805 for most employment petitions. More than half of H-1B petitioners now pay for expedited processing to reduce uncertainty and secure faster decisions.
- Green card sponsorship through PERM costs $2,500-$5,000+ for labor certification alone. Employment-based permanent residency adds multiple fee layers beyond initial visa costs.
USCIS Processing Volume and Revenue Statistics
- USCIS received 13.51 million immigration cases in FY 2024. The agency's intake volume reflects unprecedented demand for immigration benefits, creating significant processing pressure across all case types. This record-breaking caseload means employers must plan for extended timelines.
- USCIS processed 13.16 million cases to completion in FY 2024. Despite the massive intake, the agency completed 13.16 million cases, demonstrating substantial operational capacity. The gap between receipts and completions continues adding to the backlog.
- The agency reduced its backlog by 479,000 cases (11% reduction) in FY 2024. This 11% backlog reduction shows progress, though significant delays remain. Employers should factor potential wait times into their hiring and retention strategies.
- 3.8 million cases remained in net backlog status at end of FY 2024. Even after improvements, the 3.8 million case backlog creates unpredictability for employers and workers alike.
- $6.3 billion total USCIS budget authority in FY 2024. The agency operates on a $6.3 billion budget, making it one of the largest fee-funded federal agencies.
- Congressional appropriations accounted for approximately 4.5% of the USCIS budget in FY 2024. With the most funding from fees, employers and applicants bear nearly all costs of the immigration system.
- $281 million in congressional appropriations for USCIS in FY 2024. This represents just 4.5% of total budget, with the remainder coming from filing fees.
H-1B Visa Sponsorship Costs and Statistics
- Average total H-1B sponsorship cost: $9,400 for first-time applications. When combining all fees, legal costs, and surcharges, employers should budget approximately $9,400 per H-1B hire for initial petitions.
- 399,395 H-1B petitions approved in FY 2024. USCIS approved 399,395 H-1B petitions, representing a significant employer investment in foreign talent.
- 427,084 H-1B petitions filed in FY 2024 (10% increase from FY 2023). Demand continues growing with 10% more filings year-over-year, intensifying competition for available slots.
- 141,205 H-1B petitions approved for initial employment in FY 2024. Of total approvals, 141,205 represented new hires entering H-1B status for the first time.
- 258,190 H-1B petitions approved for continuing employment in FY 2024. The majority, 258,190 approvals, went to workers maintaining or extending existing H-1B status.
- 56% of H-1B petitions used premium processing service. More than half of employers now pay extra for faster decisions, with 56% opting for premium.
- H-1B petitions had relatively low Request for Evidence (RFE) rates in FY 2024. RFE rates varied by petition type, with different rates for initial employment versus continuing employment petitions. While RFEs remain uncommon overall, responses add time and cost when issued.
- 470,342 H-1B registrations received for FY 2025 (approximately 40% decline from FY 2024). The significant drop in registrations followed reforms targeting duplicate filings and fraud.
Government Filing Fee Breakdown
- H-1B registration fee increased to $215 (from $10) under the 2024 fee rule. This 2,050% increase adds substantial upfront cost before employers even know if their candidate is selected.
- Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker) filing fee: $460-$780. The base petition fee ranges from $460-$780 depending on employer size.
- Premium processing fee is $2,805 for most employment-based petitions. Expedited 15-day processing now costs $2,805, a significant premium for timeline certainty.
- Fraud Prevention and Detection fee: $500 for H-1B and L-1 visas. This mandatory $500 fee applies to all new H-1B and L-1 petitions regardless of employer size.
- ACWIA fee ranges from $750 to $1,500 depending on company size. The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act fee varies by employer size, with larger companies paying more.
- Public Law 114-113 fee: $4,000 for H-1B, $4,500 for L-1 visas. Employers with 50+ employees where more than half are H-1B or L-1 workers face this additional $4,000-$4,500 surcharge.
- New asylum program fee ranges from $0 to $600 depending on employer size. The 2024 fee rule introduced this tiered asylum fee, with nonprofits exempt and small employers paying $300.
Green Card Sponsorship Cost Statistics
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) fee: $715. The immigrant petition itself costs $715 in government fees.
- Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) fee: $1,440. When employees adjust status to permanent resident while in the U.S., the fee is $1,440.
- PERM labor certification costs range from $2,500 to $5,000+. Before filing an I-140 for most EB-2 and EB-3 cases, employers must complete PERM, which costs $2,500-$5,000 or more including recruitment costs.
- Legal fees for immigrant visas (green cards) start at $5,000 and can exceed $15,000. Attorney costs for green card cases range from $5,000-$15,000+ depending on complexity.
- Form I-765 (Employment Authorization) fee: $470 online, $520 paper filing. EAD applications during the green card process cost $470-$520.
Processing Times and Efficiency Metrics
- Average Form I-129 processing time: 2.0 months in FY 2024. Nonimmigrant worker petitions averaged 2.0 months for standard processing.
- Average Form I-140 processing time: 5.0 months in FY 2024. Immigrant petitions for skilled workers took 5.0 months on average.
- Average employment-based I-485 processing time: 9.6 months in FY 2024. Adjustment of status for employment cases averaged 9.6 months.
- Average Form I-130 processing time: 12.6 months in FY 2024. Family-based petitions faced the longest waits at 12.6 months.
- Average Form N-400 (naturalization) processing time: 5.7 months in FY 2024. Citizenship applications averaged 5.7 months.
H-1B Worker Compensation Data
- Median annual compensation for H-1B workers in FY 2024: $120,000. H-1B beneficiaries earned a median of $120,000, well above average U.S. wages.
- Median H-1B compensation for initial employment: $97,000 in FY 2024. New H-1B workers started at $97,000 median compensation.
- Median H-1B compensation for continuing employment: $132,000 in FY 2024. Experienced H-1B workers in extensions earned $132,000 median.
- 71% of H-1B beneficiaries in FY 2024 were born in India. The vast majority, 71%, of H-1B workers originated from India.
- 64% of H-1B beneficiaries work in computer-related occupations. Technology roles dominate, with 64% in computer fields.
- 46% of H-1B beneficiaries hold master's degrees. Nearly half of H-1B workers, 46%, have advanced degrees.
Fee Revenue and Budget Impact Statistics
- $397.2 million collected in H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Fee account in FY 2024. H-1B employers contributed $397.2 million through specialized fee accounts.
- $147.5 million collected in fraud prevention fees in FY 2024. The fraud prevention and detection program collected $147.5 million from H-1B and L-1 petitioners.
Managing Immigration Sponsorship Costs Effectively
Given these substantial costs, employers benefit from working with immigration partners who provide:
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing that eliminates surprise fees
- Real-time case tracking to minimize costly delays
- Compliance automation to prevent expensive errors
- Volume discounts for companies sponsoring multiple employees
Alma's business immigration platform delivers all these capabilities with guaranteed 2-week document turnaround and 99%+ approval rates. For growing companies managing 26-250 foreign nationals, structured workflows and automated compliance alerts help control costs while maintaining immigration program integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average total cost for an employer to sponsor an H-1B visa?
Employers should budget approximately $9,400 for first-time applications, including the $460-$780 base filing fee, $500 fraud prevention fee, $750-$1,500 ACWIA fee, $2,805 premium processing (optional but common), and $1,500-$4,500 in legal fees. Larger employers may face additional surcharges.
Are government filing fees included in immigration legal service packages?
Government filing fees are typically separate from legal service fees. USCIS fees like the $715 I-140 or $1,440 I-485 are paid directly to the government. Alma's pricing page clearly distinguishes legal service fees from government costs, ensuring complete transparency.
What hidden costs do employers often overlook when sponsoring immigrants?
Beyond obvious fees, employers frequently underestimate costs for educational credential evaluations, translation services, premium processing to meet deadlines, RFE response preparation, and employee travel for interviews. PERM labor certification alone can cost $2,500-$5,000+ in recruitment and legal fees.
How do the 2024 USCIS fee changes impact overall sponsorship costs?
The 2024 fee schedule significantly increased costs. The H-1B registration fee jumped from $10 to $215, Form I-129 fees rose to $460-$780, and new asylum program fees ($0-$600) were introduced. Overall, the fee rule generates approximately $1.14 billion additional revenue.
What percentage of H-1B petitions currently require RFE responses?
RFE rates for H-1Bs remained relatively low in FY 2024, with rates varying between initial and continuing employment petition types. RFEs add significant time and cost when issued. Working with experienced attorneys who prepare thorough initial filings minimizes RFE risk.
