Filing Fees
Always ascertain the appropriate filing fee by checking the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fee schedule, on the USCIS web site, not from the form instructions!
The fee for the regular I-129 petition for a nonimmigrant worker will vary depending on the classification being sought, the petitioner's filing status, and whether there are more than 25 beneficiaries in a group (note - as of April 1, 2024 the very latest edition of the I-129 must be used, no grace period allowed). Any nonprofit petitioner seeking to access a reduced filing fee must provide a copy of its IRS determination letter proving 501(c)(3) status; any small employer seeking the reduced fee for the I-129 and the Asylum Program fee must provide a copy of its most recent IRS Form 941 or Employer’s Quarterly Federal Return:
For O petitions:
- $530 for U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations of any size
- $530 for filers with 25 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees, plus a $300 Asylum Program Fee, for a total fee of $830 (please be sure to make a separate payment for the Asylum Program Fee)
- $1055 for all other filers, plus a $600 Asylum Program Fee, for a total fee of $1655 (please be sure to make a separate payment for the Asylum Program Fee)
For P petitions:
- $510 for U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations of any size
- $510 for filers with 25 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees, plus a $300 Asylum Program Fee, for a total fee of $810 (please be sure to make a separate payment for the Asylum Program Fee)
- $1015 for all other filers, plus a $600 Asylum Program Fee, for a total fee of $1615 (please be sure to make a separate payment for the Asylum Program Fee)
The fee for the I-907 premium processing form is $2,805.
After October 28, 2025, checks and money orders will no longer be accepted. Petitioners may pay by the new ACH payment option by completing and signing Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, and filing it with petitions. Applicants may alternatively choose the existing option of paying by credit card, debit card, or prepaid credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.
The ACH transaction process is reflected in updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual. According to USCIS, “applicants and petitioners should ensure their accounts have sufficient funds to cover all filing fees. USCIS may reject any application, petition, or request if the transaction is denied. If you do not have a U.S. bank account you cannot use Form G-1650, but you may submit, and use prepaid credit cards to pay filing fees.”
There is no rule about who must pay these or any other costs associated with the petition. That is a matter of contract between the petitioner, the beneficiary(ies), and the venues. USCIS will be happy to take payment from any source.