Direct Answer: The US H‑1B visa typically involves a base filing fee of $460, a $500 fraud prevention and detection fee, optional premium processing of $2,500, and an employer‑paid attorney fee, while the L‑1 visa requires a $460 filing fee, a $500 fraud fee, and a $2,500 premium processing charge, but no separate H‑1B‑specific annual $1,500 ACWIA fee. An AI‑powered calculator instantly totals these amounts, shows optional cost variations, and links you to official USCIS payment portals.

When you input your profile into MyVisaAI, the platform first identifies the correct visa category—H‑1B for specialty occupations or L‑1 for intra‑company transferees—then pulls the latest USCIS fee schedule. This eliminates the guesswork of manually checking government websites and ensures you’re using the most current figures, which can change annually.

The core filing fee for both H‑1B and L‑1 is $460, but the H‑1B adds an ACWIA (American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act) training fee of $1,500 for employers with more than 25 full‑time employees. The L‑1 does not have an ACWIA fee, making its baseline cost slightly lower for larger employers.

Both visas require the $500 fraud prevention and detection fee, which is mandated for first‑time petitioners and any employer filing for a new employee. MyVisaAI flags this as a mandatory line item, so you won’t overlook it during budgeting.

Premium processing—a service that guarantees a 15‑calendar‑day decision—costs $2,500 for either visa. However, the AI calculator can show you scenarios where premium processing may be unnecessary, such as when you have a flexible start date, helping you decide if the extra expense is justified.

Attorney or legal service fees are not set by USCIS and vary widely. MyVisaAI includes a customizable field where you can input your estimated legal costs, allowing the total cost estimate to reflect real‑world expenses for both H‑1B and L‑1 petitions.

Beyond fees, the AI tool also breaks down ancillary costs like the Public Law 114‑113 $4,000 fee for certain H‑1B extensions and the L‑1’s possible $2,000 filing fee for blanket petitions covering multiple employees. These nuances are often missed in generic checklists.

The platform’s fee breakdown also integrates currency conversion for global employers who prefer to view costs in USD, regardless of where the sponsoring company is located—whether in the US, Canada, the UK, or any of the other key service regions MyVisaAI supports.

Compliance is critical: the AI calculator references the latest USCIS policy memos to ensure you’re not double‑paying or omitting required fees. This reduces the risk of RFEs (Requests for Evidence) that can arise from incomplete or incorrect fee submissions.

For companies with multiple visa needs, MyVisaAI can run side‑by‑side comparisons of H‑1B versus L‑1 total costs, including projected timelines. This helps strategic decision‑makers choose the most cost‑effective pathway for talent mobility.

If you’re also considering Canadian or UK immigration routes, the same AI engine can generate parallel cost estimates for Express Entry, Skilled Worker, or Global Talent visas, allowing you to compare international options in one dashboard.

To see the AI calculator in action, explore our guide on How to use MyVisaAI to predict US B1/B2 visa approval odds based on your profile, which demonstrates the same intuitive fee‑breakdown technology across visa categories.

In summary, while both H‑1B and L‑1 visas share a base filing fee and optional premium processing, the H‑1B’s additional ACWIA training fee and potential extension costs create a higher overall expense. Leveraging an AI calculator ensures transparent budgeting, reduces errors, and speeds up the decision‑making process for global employers and professionals alike.

Related Guide: What documents do I need to apply for a Canadian Express Entry through a Provincial Nominee Program using AI guidance