L-1 Visa Costs: What Employers and Employees Need to Know

The L-1 visa was created for intracompany transfers to the United States, and if you are in this situation, knowing the full L-1 visa cost is critical. Total expenses include mandatory government fees, optional costs such as premium processing, and professional services, such as hiring an immigration attorney. 

Generally, the sponsoring employer pays many of these L-1 visa fees, but foreign transferees would be wise to be aware of the costs associated with this nonimmigrant visa. Knowing these costs can help employers and visa applicants plan and budget effectively.

What is the L-1 visa?

The L-1 visa is a temporary work visa that allows foreign employees of multinational companies to transfer to their U.S. offices or subsidiaries for a limited period of time. 

There are two main categories of L-1 visas:

• L-1A visa: For executives and managers
• L-1B visa: For employees with specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, research, systems, or procedures

The L-1 visa program is popular because it allows foreign companies to bring key employees to the U.S. without relying on the H-1B visa lottery system, making it a possible alternative to the H-1B. L-1 visas are considered dual intent, meaning holders can apply for a Green Card while maintaining nonimmigrant status. 

Learn more about the difference between the L-1 and H-1B visa.

🧑‍⚖️ Clear guidance, without the legal jargon. This article is informed and reviewed by Manifest Law’s experienced immigration attorneys—and written to make the law make sense. Because you deserve to understand the system, not fight it. Check out our editorial policy for more info.

How much does the L-1 visa cost?

The total cost of an L-1 visa depends on multiple factors, including the visa category (L-1A or L-1B), the type of filing (initial application or extension), whether premium processing is used, and additional expenses such as attorney fees and document preparation. 

Costs can be divided into three categories:

• Mandatory government fees
• Optional or additional government fees
• Professional or administrative fees

Government fees for the L-1 visa

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges several mandatory filing fees for all L-1 visa petitions. These fees apply regardless of whether the employee is applying for an L-1A or L-1B visa and include the base filing fee for Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker.

Stay updated on changes to the visa application fee by checking the USCIS Fee Schedule. 

Form I-129 filing fee

The base Form I-129 filing fee is $1,385 for most L-1 visa petitions. If your employer is filing as a small employer (defined as companies with 25 employees or fewer) or a nonprofit, the base fee is $695.

This fee applies to all L-1 visa petitions filed by U.S. employers. This fee is required for both initial petitions and every extension. 

This filing fee is submitted by the U.S. employer when filing the L-1 visa petition on behalf of the foreign worker. It covers the administrative cost of processing the petition.

Additional fees

In most cases, your employer will likely have to pay the Asylum Program Fee of $600. If you are working for a small employer, the fee is $300. Nonprofits do not have to pay an Asylum Program fee.

Employers must pay a $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee either when submitting an initial petition or seeking to employ a person in the country working on an L-1 visa for another petitioner. With blanket petitions—filing a single petition for multiple employees—employers must pay the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee when applying for an L-1 extension to continue employment with a company other than the previous petitioner. As the name suggests, the fee supports USCIS fraud prevention programs. 

Large companies that employ many L-1 visa holders must pay an additional $4,500 fee if:

• They are required to pay the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee
• They employ 50 or more people in the US
• More than 50% of employees are in H-1B or L-1 non-immigrant status

Premium processing for Form I-129

Petitioners can opt to pay a premium processing fee of $2,965 to expedite the visa application process. This fee cuts the processing time of I-129 to 15 business days. Without the payment, processing time can take several months. 

Both L-1A and L-1B petitioners can choose premium processing. Either the employer or the employee can pay this fee. Speeding up processing can be extremely useful for time-sensitive transfers or when work authorization is required ASAP. 

Nonimmigrant visa fee

If you are outside the U.S. when applying for an L-1 visa, you must pay a nonrefundable visa processing fee after you complete your DS-160 form. You will pay this fee at a U.S. consulate when you’re obtaining your visa stamp during consular processing. For L-1 visas, this fee is $205. It applies to first-time visa applicants or those needing a new visa stamp. 

Visa issuance/reciprocity fee

Foreign nationals from some countries will need to pay a visa issuance fee, also called a reciprocity fee, although it’s not required of most countries. Check the State Department website to see if you need to pay the reciprocity fee. Two notable examples for the L-1 visa are Mexico ($296 for a 48-month visa validity period) and Italy ($308 for a 60-month visa validity period).

Additional costs

Beyond government fees, several optional or situational expenses can add to the overall L-1 visa cost:

• Translation fees: required if documents are in a foreign language
• Document authentication: notarization or apostille services
• Travel expenses: attending U.S. consulate interviews or relocation
• Legal fees: hiring an immigration attorney to prepare a strong petition
• Business plan preparation: necessary for new office L-1 visa applications

While these costs are not legally required, they are often necessary to improve your L-1 visa application. Multinational companies and foreign employees should budget for these items to avoid delays or application rejection.

Who pays L-1 visa fees?

Responsibility for L-1 visa costs is shared between employers, employees, and, in some cases, dependents.

U.S. employer

Typically, the employer pays the mandatory USCIS filing fees, the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee, premium processing (if requested), and any legal or administrative costs related to filing Form I-129. 

Employers are legally prohibited from passing USCIS filing fees to employees in a manner that reduces the employee’s wages below a salary that is comparable to the geographic area. 

Employee 

Costs that may fall on the employee include travel to consulate appointments, DS-160 visa application fees, and translation or document certification expenses.

However, if any of these costs are burdensome, the employee is free to ask their employer to cover them.

Dependents (L-2 visa holders)

Dependents are allowed to enter the U.S. with a L-1 visa holder under the L-2 visa. Each dependent requires a separate visa application, with associated DS-160 and travel fees. These fees can be paid by the dependent, the employee, or the employer, if needed. 

Employers should clarify in writing which fees are covered and which are the employee’s responsibility before starting the visa application process.

⚠️ This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. If your Form I-485 is denied, consult with an immigration attorney right away to understand your options. Manifest Law is here to help. Request a consultation here.

How much does it cost to extend or renew an L-1 visa?

L-1 visas are granted for limited initial periods based on the category:

• New office L-1 visas: up to one year
• L-1A visas: up to three years initially, renewable in two-year increments to a maximum of 7 years
• L-1B visas: up to three years initially, renewable in two-year increments to a maximum of 5 years

Extensions require filing a new Form I-129 petition and payment of the base filing fee of $1,385 (or $695 for small employers or nonprofits). 

Premium processing of Form I-129 can be purchased for extensions at an optional $2,965 fee – it must be paid for each filing, whether it’s the initial application or an extension. 

Other associated costs during renewal are the same as those for the initial petition. They may include:

• Legal fees for immigration attorney assistance with the petition
• Updated supporting documents such as tax records, employment verification, or corporate evidence
• Travel for dependents’ visa renewals

How to pay L-1 visa fees

L-1 visa fees are generally paid online. Paper filers can pay with an ACH transaction or with a credit or debit card. USCIS no longer accepts payment by check or money order, as of October 28, 2025, with some exceptions. The payment process differs slightly depending on the fee.

I-129 filing fee 

The Form I-129 filing fees, including the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee, if applicable, be paid via debit or credit card using Form G-1450, or via ACH using Form G-1650. The credit card issuer or bank must be based in the US.

Premium processing for Form I-129 must be paid separately with one of the methods above, using Form I-907.

DS-160 fee 

Paid online through the U.S. Department of State website, typically before scheduling a visa interview at the U.S. consulate.

Employers and employees should retain receipts and payment confirmations for all fees as part of the visa application record.

Tips for managing L-1 visa costs

Proper planning and budgeting can minimize L-1 visa expenses for both employers and employees. It can also make for a smoother, speedier process. Here are several strategies:

Work with an experienced L-1 immigration attorney

Experienced, professional legal assistance is critical for L-1 visa applications. An attorney can guide you through the process. For more help, consider a consultation with Manifest today!

Consider blanket petitions for multiple employees

Large multinational companies can file a blanket L-1 petition to sponsor multiple employees under a single filing. While the initial fee is higher ($4,500), this approach can reduce administrative costs and streamline the visa process.

Use premium processing strategically

Premium processing expedites visa processing to 15 business days but adds $2,965 per employee. It is most useful when transfers are time-sensitive. Companies can choose which employees need premium processing (and who can wait) to manage costs.

Plan for new office applications

Setting up a new office in the U.S. often requires detailed business plans and supporting documents. Preparing these materials in-house rather than outsourcing can reduce legal costs.

Budget for employees’ dependents

L-2 visa dependents require separate DS-160 visa fees and base I-129 filing fees. Planning these costs ensures no surprises when the employee and family relocate to the U.S.

Maintain organized supporting documentation

Accurate and complete supporting documents reduce the risk of RFEs (Requests for Evidence), which can delay processing and increase legal fees. Maintaining a well-organized corporate record helps keep overall L1 visa costs under control.

How an L-1 lawyer can help

L-1 applications are complex and require a lot of supporting documentation as well as many various fees. Working with an expert attorney can streamline this process immensely. 

Hiring a professional, experienced immigration lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes and other pitfalls. Take the first step and reach out to Manifest’s experienced L-1 visa lawyers today. We have years of experience guiding employers and employees through the L-1 visa process. 

L-1 visa cost FAQs

Is an L-1 visa difficult to get?

L-1 visa approval rates are generally high, especially for established multinational companies with proper documentation. There is no lottery, like with H-1B visas. The key challenges involve proving the qualifying relationship between the foreign and U.S. offices, demonstrating managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge roles, and providing comprehensive supporting documentation.

Are there any waivers or exemptions to the L-1 visa fees?

Some nonprofits and small employers with 25 or fewer employees may qualify for reduced fees on certain filings. For example, smaller organizations may pay a reduced I-129 filing fee, and nonprofit petitions may be exempt from the Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee. Always confirm eligibility with USCIS or an immigration attorney.

How often do I have to pay to renew my L-1 visa?

Every L-1 visa extension requires a new I-129 filing fee. If premium processing is desired, you have to pay this fee with every extension as well. Renewal frequency depends on the visa type: L-1A holders can extend up to seven years, L-1B holders up to five years, generally in two-year increments after the initial period. 

How much does it cost for Canadian nationals to apply for an L-1 at a port of entry?

Canadian citizens can apply for L-1 status directly at a U.S. port of entry (land border or pre-flight clearance at major airports). They do not need to file through USCIS first.
The cost is typically as follow:

• $0 in USCIS filing fees, because USCIS is not processing the petition.
• A $6 I-94 fee collected at the border.

Attorney fees vary depending on the complexity of the case, but government fees for Canadians applying at the border are minimal.

How do costs work for employers with an approved L-1 blanket petition?

If the employer has an approved L-1 blanket petition, employees can skip USCIS and apply directly at a U.S. consulate abroad.

For these applicants, the required government fee is a $205 MRV fee (paid to the Department of State).

There is no USCIS filing fee unless the employee later applies for an extension from inside the U.S. In that case, USCIS fees—including the Fraud Prevention Fee—would apply.

Is it cheaper to apply for an L-1 through a U.S. consulate instead of USCIS?

Yes, in many cases it is. Filing directly at a consulate (or for Canadian nationals, at a port of entry) avoids the high USCIS petition fee and the $500 Fraud Prevention Fee, which are required for L-1 petitions filed inside the U.S.

Consular processing typically costs only the $205 MRV fee, making it significantly less expensive than filing with USCIS—especially for employers filing multiple L-1 cases.