O-1 visa cost
How much does an O-1 visa cost?
Every O-1 fee in one place: USCIS fees, the partner firm’s legal fee, and costs people forget. USCIS fees are as of October 2026.
Last checked October 2026 · Sources
- Legal fee from
- $6,999 flat
- USCIS fees, larger employer
- $1,655
- USCIS fees, small employer
- $830
- Premium processing
- $2,965, optional
Quick answer
What does an O-1 cost in total?
As of October 2026, an O-1 costs about $8,654 when an employer with more than 25 employees files. That is a legal fee from $6,999 plus $1,655 in USCIS fees. The USCIS fees are $1,055 for Form I-129 and a $600 Asylum Program Fee. A small employer pays $830 instead. Optional premium processing adds $2,965.
- Form I-129 for an O petition: $1,055, or $530 for small employers and nonprofits.
- Asylum Program Fee: $600, $300 for small employers, $0 for nonprofits.
- Premium processing (Form I-907): $2,965, optional. USCIS acts within 15 business days.
- Legal fee: flat, from $6,999. Frank plans are separate and optional.
Government fees
O-1 USCIS and visa fees, as of October 2026
These fees go to the government, not to us. USCIS fees come from the USCIS fee schedule, Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26.
| Form or fee | What it is for | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129 (O petition) | The O-1A or O-1B petition, one person per petition | $1,055. $530 for small employers and nonprofits. |
| Asylum Program Fee | Added to the I-129 | $600. $300 for small employers. $0 for nonprofits. |
| Form I-907 (optional) | Premium processing: USCIS acts within 15 business days | $2,965 |
| Biometrics | Fingerprints and photo | No separate fee listed for Form I-129 |
| Visa application fee (abroad) | Paid to the State Department if you get the O-1 visa at a consulate | $205 per person |
| Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee | Charged to some nationalities when the visa is issued | Varies by country |
A small employer has 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in the US, counting affiliates and subsidiaries (8 CFR 106.1(f)(1)). The $205 fee is for H, L, O, P, Q and R visas under 22 CFR 22.1, item 21(b). The State Department may charge other visa fees too. There is no Form I-485 for an O-1, because it is not a green card. Fees change, so your attorney confirms them before filing.
Total cost scenarios
O-1 total government fees, by scenario
The fee depends on who files the petition. Add the legal fee (from $6,999) to any row.
| Scenario | The math | Government total |
|---|---|---|
| Petition only, employer with more than 25 employees | $1,055 + $600 | $1,655 |
| Same, with premium processing | $1,655 + $2,965 | $4,620 |
| Petition only, small employer | $530 + $300 | $830 |
| Small employer, with premium processing | $830 + $2,965 | $3,795 |
| Petition only, nonprofit | $530 + $0 | $530 |
| Larger employer + premium + your visa abroad | $4,620 + $205 | $4,825 |
| Add a spouse and one child (O-3 visas abroad) | $205 + $205 | add $410 |
Example with the legal fee: $6,999 + $1,655 = $8,654. With premium: $6,999 + $4,620 = $11,619. A spouse and unmarried minor children can get O-3 status (8 CFR 214.2(o)(6)(iv)). If they are already in the US, they may need a separate form. Your attorney confirms that fee.
Our fees
Legal fee and add-ons
Legal work is done by licensed attorneys at an independent partner firm, under a separate agreement. Fees are flat, never hourly. Your exact fee is quoted before you sign.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| O-1A or O-1B legal fee | From $6,999. Tiers: $6,999, $8,500, $10,500, $12,500. |
| Attorney evaluation (60 minutes) | $250 |
| Ex-USCIS officer profile review | $400 |
| Recommendation letter pack (5 drafts) | $500 |
| Petition-ready exhibit binder | $600 |
| Translation and certification | $95 per document |
| Frank plans (separate and optional) | Free evaluation. Starter $49/month, Pro $299/month, Concierge $599/month. |
Frank helps you build your evidence. It never includes legal representation. See all prices and how Frank works.
Included
What the flat legal fee includes
-
A senior attorney leads your case
Plus a custom legal strategy memo.
-
Petition preparation and filing
The partner firm prepares and files your petition.
-
Recommendation-letter coaching
Help getting strong letters from the right people.
-
Second-attorney review
A second attorney reads the petition before filing.
-
RFE or NOID response
Included if one comes on a case they filed.
-
Unlimited communication and a case portal
Plus visa stamping support if you need a visa abroad.
Paid separately: government fees, optional premium processing, translations and document procurement, and third-party expert opinion letters.
Budget for these too
Costs people forget
-
Translations
Every foreign-language document needs a full, certified English translation (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)). Price varies by provider.
-
Credential evaluation
Sometimes used for degrees from outside the US. Price varies. Your attorney tells you if you need one.
-
Expert opinion letters
Third-party letters are not in the legal fee. Price varies.
-
Agent or company setup
If a US agent or your own company files for you, there may be costs for that setup. Varies.
-
Travel
A trip to a US consulate for the visa interview, if you apply abroad. Varies.
FAQ
Questions people ask
As of October 2026, about $8,654 when an employer with more than 25 employees files. That is a legal fee from $6,999 plus $1,655 in USCIS fees. Premium processing adds $2,965.
You cannot file in your own name. A US employer, a US agent, or a foreign employer through a US agent must file (8 CFR 214.2(o)(2)(i)). A separate company you own can file for you (Policy Manual). You and the petitioner agree who pays.
Yes. With 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, the I-129 fee is $530. The Asylum Program Fee is $300, so $830 in total. Nonprofits pay $530.
Generally no. Filing fees are generally non-refundable, whatever the outcome (8 CFR 103.2(a)(1)(v)). USCIS does refund the premium processing fee if it misses its timeframe (USCIS premium processing).
The fees differ, and the H-1B has extra fees and a lottery. See O-1 vs H-1B and the H-1B page.
Not by default. Some cases get refund-backed terms, but only if the reviewing attorney approves after assessing the case. They cannot be requested or bought.
Not sure an O-1 is worth the cost for you?
Start with the free evaluation. It shows how your profile looks against the O-1 criteria before you spend anything. It is information, not legal advice. A partner-firm attorney confirms eligibility before anything is filed.
Sources · checked October 2026
- USCIS Fee Schedule, Form G-1055 (edition 10/01/26), PDF
- USCIS Fee Schedule web page
- USCIS: Form I-129 (updated 09/09/2026)
- USCIS: How Do I Request Premium Processing? (updated 03/23/2026)
- eCFR: 8 CFR 214.2(o), O nonimmigrants
- USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part M, Ch. 3 (O petitioners, beneficiary-owned company)
- eCFR: 8 CFR 106.1, fees and small employer definition
- eCFR: 8 CFR 103.2, fees and translations
- eCFR: 22 CFR 22.1, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; a partner-firm attorney confirms what applies to you before anything is filed.
