If the L-1 is denied, can I get a refund of the USCIS fee?

As a general rule, fees paid to USCIS in the L-1 process are non-refundable, even if the petition is denied. They compensate the agency for reviewing the application, not for a specific outcome: the fee covers the cost of processing, regardless of whether the visa is approved or denied.

This service-fee logic, rather than an approval-based fee, applies to most petitions filed with USCIS. A denial means the case was reviewed and did not meet the requirements, not that the service was not rendered, so it does not automatically trigger a refund of what was paid.

There are specific situations in which the agency itself provides guidance on how to proceed, such as a suspected administrative error in processing. In those cases, the appropriate course of action is to follow the official USCIS instructions for your specific petition, without counting on a refund as the default outcome.

Since fee amounts and policies can change, it is worth confirming the current rules at the official USCIS source and, when facing a complex situation, evaluating your case with a trusted immigration professional before filing.

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.