H-1B Timing and Fees Chart

The following are general timeline and fee considerations for the filing of H-1B applicaitons:
Case Type Fees Premium Processing Regular Processing Travel

Consular Processing

(Employee currently outside of the U.S.)

$460 Filing Fee
(must be paid by employer)

$500 Anti-Fraud Fee
(must be paid by employer)

$2,500 Premium Processing Fee (optional)

*1-2 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 3-4 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to H-1B start date

Premium Processing requires USCIS to take action on the case within 15 calendar days

2-3 business days for Penn State to receive I-797 Approval Notice from USCIS

5-7 business days to ship H-1B materials to applicant outside of the U.S.

1-3 weeks for applicant to apply for and receive H-1B visa/stamp from U.S. embassy/consulate

Able to start work at Penn State as soon as employee initiates checks-in process with department and schedules I-9 appointment with International Faculty Advising

*4-6 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 6 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to H-1B start date

5-10 business days for Penn State to receive I-797 Approval Notice from USCIS

5-7 business days to ship H-1B materials to applicant outside of the U.S.

1-3 weeks for applicant to apply for and receive H-1B visa/stamp from U.S. embassy/consulate

Able to start work at Penn State as soon as employee initiates checks-in process with department and schedules I-9 appointment with International Faculty Advising

Can travel to U.S. upon issuance of H-1B visa (Canadian citizens exempt from visa requirement)

Cannot enter the U.S. more than 10 days prior to start date as listed on the I-797 Approval Notice
H-1B Portability
 
(In U.S. with another H-1B employer)

$460 Filing Fee
(must be paid by employer)

$500 Anti-Fraud Fee
(must be paid by employer)

$2,500 Premium Processing Fee (optional)

*1-2 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 3-4 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to H-1B start date

Premium Processing requires USCIS to take action on the case within 15 calendar days

2-3 business days for Penn State to receive I-797 Approval Notice from USCIS

**H-1B employee MUST maintain employment with current employer until Penn State receives I-797 Receipt Notice as long as it is on or after H-1B start date noted on the Penn State petition

*6-12 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 3-4 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to H-1B start date

5-10 business days for Penn State to receive the I-797 Receipt Notice

H-1B employee MUST maintain employment with current employer until Penn State receives I-797 Receipt Notice as long as it is on or after H-1B start date noted on the Penn State petition

 

Can travel outside of the U.S. while H-1B petition is pending, provided H-1B status from previous employment has not expired

Must have valid H-1B stamp in passport

H-1B Extension

(Currently employed by Penn State in H-1B status)

$460 Filing Fee
(must be paid by employer)

 

*1-2 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 3-4 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to the current H-1B end date

Premium Processing requires USCIS to take action on the case within 15 calendar days

2-3 business days for Penn State to receive the I-797 Receipt Notice

Able to continue working as soon as I-797 Receipt Notice is received

 

*6-12 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 3-4 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to the current H-1B end date

5-10 business days for Penn State to receive the I-797 Receipt Notice

Able to continue working as soon as I-797 Receipt Notice is received

 

Cannot travel outside of the U.S. past expiration of previous petition until extension is approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Must have valid H-1B stamp in passport

Change of Status to H-1B

(In U.S. in another immigration status)

$460 Filing Fee
(must be paid by employer)

$500 Anti-Fraud Fee
(must be paid by employer)

$2,500 Premium Processing Fee (optional)

*1-2 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 3-4 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to H-1B start date

Premium Processing requires USCIS to take action on the case within 15 calendar days

2-3 business days for Penn State to receive the I-797 Approval Notice

Able to start H-1B employment/status as soon as I-797 Approval Notice has been received

*6-12 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 6 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to H-1B start date

5-10 business days for Penn State to receive the I-797 Receipt Notice

Able to start H-1B employment/status as soon as I-797 Approval Notice has been received

Cannot travel outside of the U.S. while petition is pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Amended H-1B Petition

(Substantive change to terms of employment)

$460 Filing Fee
(must be paid by employer)

$2,500 Premium Processing Fee (optional)

*1-2 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 3-4 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to H-1B start date

Able to assume new changes in employment as soon as H-1B Amendment has been filed with USCIS

 

*6-12 months to obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval

*Requests need to be initiated in iStart a minimum of 3-4 months in advance - not able to file petition more than 6 months prior to H-1B start date

5-10 business days for Penn State to receive the I-797 Receipt Notice

Able to assume new changes in employment as soon as H-1B Amendment has been filed with USCIS

Can travel outside of the U.S. while H-1B petition is pending, provided H-1B status is still valid

Must have valid H-1B stamp in passport