EB-1 Visa Cost Breakdown: What to Expect

Key Takeaways

EB-1 visa costs can range from $715 to several thousand dollars, depending on filing type, premium processing, and whether you adjust status inside the U.S.
Self-petitioners (EB-1A) cover their own costs, while sponsored applicants (EB-1B or EB-1C) may share expenses with their employer or get full coverage.
There are flexible ways to manage costs, including payment plans, employer contributions, or support from business partners or investors.

An EB-1 petition costs $715 to $1,315 in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fees, depending on who files it. Once your I-140 petition is approved, applying for a Green Card inside the U.S. adds $1,440 for each person 14 or older.

Optional premium processing adds $2,965. Attorney fees usually cost $5,000 to $15,000. All in, a self-petitioned EB-1A costs about $9,500 to $24,000.

How much are EB-1 visa government filing fees?

USCIS fees for the EB-1 petition cost $715 to $1,315 depending on the size and type of the employer filing it, or whether an individual is filing it. The Green Card stage adds $580 per person from abroad, which includes filing Form DS-260 and other State Department fees, or $1,440 to $2,330 per person 14 or older inside the U.S.

Petition fees (Form I-140)

Fee	EB-1A	EB-1B	EB-1C
I-140 filing fee	$715	$715	$715
Asylum Program Fee	$300–$600	$0–$600	$0–$600
Premium processing (optional)	$2,965	$2,965	$2,965

EB-1A self-petitioners pay the $300 small-employer rate for the Asylum Program Fee. For EB-1B and EB-1C, employers pay $600, or $300 if they have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Nonprofits pay $0.

Premium processing costs $2,965 and sets a timeframe of 15 business days for USCIS to respond to an EB-1A or EB-1B petition, or 45 business days for EB-1C. For how long a case takes without it, see current EB-1 processing times.

Green Card fees (per person)

Fee	Cost
Inside the U.S. (adjustment of status)
Form I-485, Green Card application	$1,440 (age 14 and up); $950 (under 14, filing with a parent)
Form I-765, work permit (optional)	$260
Form I-131, travel permit (optional)	$630
From abroad (consular processing)
Form DS-260, immigrant visa application	$345
USCIS Immigrant Fee	$235
Either path
Medical exam	Set by the doctor

Fees are current as of Sept. 22, 2026. However, the U.S. government often adjusts fees for various immigration benefits, so please look up the fees on each department's respective websites to confirm.

How much does an EB-1 visa attorney cost?

Attorney fees for an EB-1 petition usually run $5,000 to $15,000, depending on subcategory and what the firm includes, based on published prices. Most firms charge a flat fee rather than billing by the hour. Manifest Law's EB-1 pricing starts at $8,995 and includes the petition, live case tracking, legal review, and at higher tiers, review by a former USCIS officer.

Service	Typical market range	What drives the price
EB-1A petition	$5,500–$15,000	The applicant carries the full burden of proof, often without an employer's help
EB-1B petition	$5,500 and up	An employer sponsor supplies some of the documents
EB-1C petition	$5,000–$12,000	How much work it takes to document the company's structure
I-485, main applicant	$1,500–$2,500	Add-ons such as work and travel permits
I-485, each dependent	$750–$1,500	The number of family members filing
RFE response	Included at some firms; others bill separately	Whether the flat fee covers RFEs

When comparing law firms, ask whether the initial flat fee includes RFE responses and the I-485.

What's the total EB-1 cost from start to finish?

The total EB-1 cost is the government fees plus the attorney fees. Here's how the tables above add up for a single applicant.

Scenario	Government fees	Attorney fees	Total
EB-1A, standard processing, I-485 only	$2,455	$7,000–$17,500	$9,455–$19,955
EB-1A, premium processing, I-485, work and travel permits	$6,310	$7,000–$17,500	$13,310–$23,810
EB-1B at a nonprofit university, standard processing, I-485 only	$2,155	$7,000 and up	$9,155 and up
EB-1C at an employer with more than 25 full-time equivalent employees, premium processing, I-485, work and travel permits	$6,610	$6,500–$14,500	$13,110–$21,110

These totals don't include RFE responses, medical exams, translations, or family members. Each dependent adds $950 to $1,440 in I-485 fees, plus $750 to $1,500 in attorney fees.

Who's responsible for paying EB-1 visa costs?

It depends on how the case is structured and whether the applicant is self-petitioning or being sponsored by an employer.

With EB-1A, the petition is based on the individual's extraordinary ability and does not require an employer sponsor. An applicant may self-petition, in which case they are generally responsible for the costs of the case, including legal fees, USCIS filing fees, translations, expert letters, and other supporting expenses. However, an employer may also file an EB-1A petition on the employee's behalf and may cover the associated legal and filing costs.

With the EB-1B or EB-1C, an employer must sponsor the applicant. In these cases, some employers cover all or part of the costs. Others may expect the applicant to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later.

No federal rule requires employers to cover EB-1 costs, though on EB-1B and EB-1C applications, the employer is the petitioner responsible for the Asylum Program Fee.

Here's a quick comparison:

Case type	Who typically pays
EB-1A (self-petition)	The applicant covers all legal and filing fees if self-sponsor. If a petitioner files, then the employer generally covers most fees.
EB-1B (sponsored)	Shared. The employer usually pays for the I-140 petition, including the filing fee, the Asylum Program Fee and attorney fees. The applicant often pays for the I-485 and any family members' filings. Either the employer or the applicant can pay for premium processing.
EB-1C (sponsored)	Shared or employer-paid, depending on company policy. Employers typically pay for the I-140 petition. Some also cover the I-485, family members' filings and premium processing. Others leave those to the applicant.

Pricing depends on the subcategory and who's filing. Talk to Manifest about EB-1A, EB-1B, or EB-1C costs for your case.

Frequently asked questions about EB-1 visa costs

How much does an EB-1 visa cost with Manifest Law?

Manifest Law charges a flat fee for EB-1 cases, with no hourly billing. EB-1 services start at $8,995.

Can my employer cover EB-1 visa costs?

It depends on the employer's policies and visa type. Employers often cover filing fees and attorney fees for EB-1B and EB-1C petitions, while EB-1A self-petitioners usually pay their own costs.

Is premium processing worth the extra cost?

Premium processing costs $2,965 and requires USCIS to respond within 15 business days for EB-1A and EB-1B petitions, or 45 business days for EB-1C. For an applicant facing a status or job deadline, it may be worth it.

About the Author

Nupur Gambhir

Contributing Writer

Nupur Gambhir is a contributing writer at Manifest Law, where she turns complex visa info into clear, no-fluff guidance for people starting a new chapter in the U.S. She’s all about making the immigration process less overwhelming and more human.

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Reviewed By

Ana Gabriela Urizar

Immigration Lawyer to Manifest Law

Ana Gabriela Urizar is an award-winning immigration attorney licensed in Arizona and New York. With nearly a decade of experience, she advises global corporations on complex U.S. immigration matters. Originally from Guatemala, Ana Gabriela previously spent close to ten years at the world’s largest immigration firm, managing business immigration matters for leading technology, science, and financial companies. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (2027) and Negocios Now’s Tri-State 40 Under 40.

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