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How much does the H-1B lottery registration fee cost?

Entering the H-1B lottery involves a per-registration fee set by USCIS that is subject to revision. Find out why you should confirm the current amount from the official source before registering.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on July 13, 2026
1 min read
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Entering the electronic selection (commonly known as the lottery) for the H-1B involves a registration fee charged per submission, set by the USCIS. This fee is part of the initial phase, when the employer registers the candidate before the draw takes place.

The exact amount is determined by USCIS and may be revised over time, so assuming a fixed figure is not advisable. To plan accurately, the safest approach is to check the current amount directly from the official source at the time of registration.

It is worth noting that this fee covers only the initial registration. If the registration is selected, the full petition stage involves additional costs and fees of its own, which are also subject to change.

Before registering, confirm the current amounts with USCIS or consult a specialist, so you can budget the process based on up-to-date information and avoid surprises.

Learn more about H-1B

Initial validity
3 years
Extension
Up to 6 years total
Annual cap
85,000 visas
Processing
6-12 months
All about H-1B

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

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How much does the H-1B lottery registration fee cost?

Entering the H-1B lottery involves a per-registration fee set by USCIS that is subject to revision. Find out why you should confirm the current amount from the official source before registering.

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