L-1 Visa Costs and Fees (2026): Full Breakdown of Government and Professional Expenses
Updated January 2026. Includes FY 2026 inflation adjustments and USCIS Asylum Program fees. By Mark I Davies, Esq. Reviewed January 2026 by Richard Latta, Esq., Managing Attorney.
Executive Summary: What is the L-1 Visa
The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer managers, executives (L-1A), or specialized knowledge workers (L-1B) to a U.S. office. Whether you are establishing a "New Office" or transferring personnel to an existing U.S. subsidiary, understanding the total L-1 visa costs is essential for corporate financial planning.
For more general information on the L-1 visa and how to qualify, read our L-1 Visa Guide.
⚖️ Expert Tip: Managing L-1 visa costs effectively requires navigating complex "employer-size" definitions which can cut your filing fees by half. For personalized guidance on how these fees apply to your specific entity, request a consultation with our specialist L-1 team.
Guide to Choosing the Best E-2 Visa Lawyer in 2026
Quick Snapshot of L-1 Visa Costs and Fees (2026)
| Category |
Typical Range (USD) |
Notes / Responsibility |
| USCIS Filing Fees |
$1,500 – $7,000+ |
Non-refundable; varies by employer size |
| Asylum Program Fee |
$0 – $600 |
Required for all I-129 employment filings |
| Legal & Professional Fees |
$13,000 – $45,000+ |
Attorney, business plan, and corporate costs |
| Consular & Visa Issuance |
$205 – $2,000+ |
Varies by applicant nationality (Reciprocity) |
| Premium Processing |
$2,805 (Optional) |
Expedites USCIS review to 15 business days |
This guide focuses on the financial aspects of the L-1 visa and cites the controlling authorities: 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(l) | USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 2 Pt. L | 9 FAM 402.12.
Government & Filing Fees for the L-1 Visa (2026)
USCIS government fees for the L-1 petition depend heavily on the size and type of the petitioning U.S. employer. Fees listed below are effective for all petitions postmarked on or after January 1, 2026.
USCIS Petition Fees (Form I-129)
| Fee Type |
Standard Amount |
Small Employer / Nonprofit |
Description |
| Base Filing Fee |
$1,385 |
$695 |
Required for all initial L-1 petitions, extensions, and transfers. |
| Asylum Program Fee |
$600 |
$300 ($0 for Nonprofits) |
Mandatory fee for all I-129 employment-based petitions. |
| Fraud Prevention Fee |
$500 |
$500 |
Mandatory for initial L-1 petitions and employer changes. |
| Public Law 114-113 |
$4,500 |
$0 |
Only for firms with >50 U.S. staff where >50% are on L/H-1B status. |
Consular Processing & Dependent Fees
| Fee Type |
Amount (2026) |
Description |
| DS-160 (MRV) Fee |
$205 |
Non-refundable fee paid per applicant for the interview. |
| Reciprocity Fee** |
Varies |
Depends on nationality; can range from $0 to over $1,700. |
| Premium Processing |
$2,805 |
Optional fee to guarantee a 15-business-day response from USCIS. |
| L-2 Extension (I-539) |
$470 |
Fee for dependents filing inside the U.S. via paper filing. |
Note regarding U.S. State Department Visa Issuance Fees
The visa reciprocity fee varies by the country of the applicant’s nationality. These fees are based on fees charged to U.S. applicants and can be found on the U.S. State Department’s website.
For example:
- Andorra has an L Visa Reciprocity fee of USD 59.00.
- The Singaporean L Visa Reciprocity fee is USD 0.
- The Indian L Visa Reciprocity Fee is USD 0.
- The L Visa Reciprocity fee for Australian Nationals is USD 1,775.00
Legal Fees and Attorney Costs for the L-1 Visa
Professional fees cover legal strategy, evidence gathering, and drafting the complex petition package. Because L-1 "New Office" cases are highly document-intensive, using a lawyer familiar with corporate and consular practice is strongly advised.
| Service |
Typical Range (USD) |
Purpose |
| Immigration Attorney |
$8,000 – $15,000 |
Petition drafting, RFE protection, and consular preparation. |
| Corporate Lawyer |
$2,500 – $25,000 |
U.S. entity formation, specialized bylaws, and complex stock issuance documentation. |
| L-1 Business Plan |
$2,500 – $5,000 |
Mandatory five-year plan for all "New Office" cases. |
| Translations & Admin |
$300 – $800 |
Certified translations, notary, and courier fees. |
When establishing a "New Office" in the U.S., the parent company incurs additional startup and compliance costs distinct from immigration filings.
- Entity Registration ($100 – $1,000+): State-specific filing fees for a new LLC or Corporation.
- Physical Premises Lease ($2,000 – $10,000+): USCIS requires evidence of a physical office lease before a new office L-1 can be approved.
- Licenses & Permits: Industry-specific costs (e.g., professional licensing, health permits, or specialized zoning).
L-1 Visa Budget Planning: Total Expected Costs
| Category |
Typical Range (USD) |
Nature / Ownership |
| USCIS & Consular Fees |
$2,000 – $7,000 |
Mandatory government charges (non-refundable) |
| Legal & Professional Services |
$13,000 – $45,000 |
Professional expenses for petition and corporate setup |
| Business Setup & Lease |
Variable |
Recoverable operational expenses (Capital) |
| Premium Processing |
$2,805 |
Optional expedited review fee |
Managing and Reducing L-1 Visa Costs
- Verify Employer Size: Ensure you qualify for the "Small Employer" reduced filing fee ($695) and the reduced Asylum Program Fee ($300) if you have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
- Consolidate Transactions: Only translate the specific sections of foreign documents required for corporate or employee eligibility.
- Avoid RFEs: Re-filing or responding to a Request for Evidence (RFE) can double legal costs. Using experienced counsel the first time is the most effective way to minimize total expenditure.
Hot Tip! Use our L-1 Visa Checklist to avoid omitting needed documents and triggering costly delays.
Always Check Costs on the USCIS Website
Costs can change with very little notice. While this guide is accurate when published, costs can change. Always check the USCIS website to confirm costs: USCIS Fee Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does an L-1 visa cost in total for a new office?
Most new office petitions incur around $18,000 – $30,000 in professional and government fees. This does not include the recoverable costs of the U.S. office lease and operational equipment.
2. Who is responsible for paying L-1 visa costs?
Legally, most USCIS filing fees (I-129, Fraud, Asylum) must be paid by the U.S. employer. The employee may pay for their own DS-160 fee and any country-specific reciprocity fees.
3. Is the "Asylum Program Fee" required for L-1 extensions?
Yes. Unlike the Fraud Prevention fee (which is only paid once), the Asylum Program Fee ($300 or $600) must be paid with every I-129 petition filed, including initial petitions and every subsequent extension.
4. Does the L-1 visa have a "reciprocity" fee?
Yes, depending on the applicant nationality. For example, Australian nationals currently pay high issuance fees, while Indian and Singaporean nationals often pay $0.
Disclaimer
This page is for educational purposes only. Fees and regulations are subject to frequent change. Always verify the latest figures on the USCIS Fee Schedule and consult with a qualified attorney before filing.
About the Authors
Mark I Davies, Esq.
Chairman of Davies & Associates; focused on E visa strategy and complex consular filings.
Mark I Davies, Esq. JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Licensed with the SRA (SRA ID: 384468) in the UK, Member Law Society of England & Wales, MBA, Wharton School of Business. Top 10 Investment Visa Lawyer, Licensed (USA), Georgia State Bar. AILA Member.
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Details |
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Education
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JD, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School | MBA (Finance), The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Chartered Accountant (ICAEW) |
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Financial Training
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Completed Analyst Training Program at a major international bank | Chartered Accountant background with professional training in financial analysis and reporting |
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Legal Practice
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Admitted to practice in Georgia (USA) | Registered Solicitor with the Law Society of England & Wales | Former CMBS lawyer at one of the world’s largest international law firms |
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Immigration Track Record
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15+ years advising HNW investors |
Zero denials for clients advised on source-of-funds compliance in EB-5 | Hundreds of successful EB-5 cases globally
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Recognition
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Named a
Top 25 EB-5 Immigration Attorney by EB5 Investors Magazine (2018–2023)
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Professional Engagements
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Lecturer/trainer for other lawyers at AILA, ACA, University of Pennsylvania Law School | Frequent speaker at global investment immigration conferences |
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