{"id":2933,"date":"2026-08-31T13:21:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T13:21:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T13:21:40","slug":"h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"Patrocinio de visas H-1B para empleadores: costos, plazos y obligaciones"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Examinar contenido<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Alternar tabla de contenidos\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Principales conclusiones<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#What_This_Guide_Covers\" >Contenido de esta gu\u00eda<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#The_Annual_H-1B_Timeline\" >The Annual H-1B Timeline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Full_Cost_Breakdown_for_Employers\" >Full Cost Breakdown for Employers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Ongoing_Employer_Obligations\" >Ongoing Employer Obligations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#H-1B_Portability_When_Changing_Employers\" >H-1B Portability When Changing Employers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Extensions_Beyond_the_6-Year_Limit\" >Extensions Beyond the 6-Year Limit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Common_Employer_Mistakes\" >Common Employer Mistakes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Preguntas frecuentes<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Does_every_H-1B_petition_require_the_100000_fee\" >Does every H-1B petition require the $100,000 fee?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Can_a_cap-exempt_employer_skip_the_lottery\" >Can a cap-exempt employer skip the lottery?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#How_long_can_premium_processing_take_to_get_a_response\" >How long can premium processing take to get a response?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#What_happens_if_an_H-1B_employee_is_laid_off\" >What happens if an H-1B employee is laid off?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Bottom_Line\" >En resumen<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Sources\" >Fuentes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-sponsorship-employers-costs-timeline\/#Related_Articles\" >Art\u00edculos relacionados<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>H-1B sponsorship in 2026 runs through a fixed annual cycle: employer registration in March, a lottery if demand exceeds the cap, then a full petition, and total government fees alone can range from roughly $2,000 for a small employer to well over $100,000 when the new fee applies to a petition for a beneficiary currently outside the United States.<\/strong> Beyond the filing itself, sponsoring employers take on ongoing wage and public access file obligations for as long as the employee remains in H-1B status.<\/p>\n<p>This guide breaks down the full cost, timeline, and compliance picture for employers. For a comparison with an uncapped alternative, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/l1-visa-vs-h1b-which-work-visa\/\">L-1 visa vs. H-1B<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Planning to sponsor an H-1B employee this cycle? Atlas Legal helps employers budget accurately and manage the filing and compliance timeline. <a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/contact\/\">Concierta una cita<\/a> with our team.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"takeaways\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Principales conclusiones<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>H-1B follows an annual cycle: employer registration each March, lottery selection if oversubscribed, then a full petition for selected registrants.<\/li>\n<li>Core government fees include the $215 registration fee, a base filing fee, a $750 or $1,500 ACWIA training fee, and a $500 fraud prevention fee.<\/li>\n<li>As of the 2025-2026 proclamation, new H-1B petitions for beneficiaries currently outside the U.S. carry an additional $100,000 fee, currently still enforced pending appeal.<\/li>\n<li>Premium processing costs $2,965 as of March 2026 and guarantees a 15-calendar-day USCIS response, though not necessarily approval.<\/li>\n<li>H-1B status is generally capped at 6 years but can be extended beyond that for employees in certain stages of an employment-based green card process.<\/li>\n<li>Sponsoring employers must maintain a public access file and comply with prevailing wage and notice requirements for the full duration of employment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"toc\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_This_Guide_Covers\"><\/span>Contenido de esta gu\u00eda<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#timeline\">The annual H-1B timeline<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#cost\">Full cost breakdown for employers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#obligations\">Ongoing employer obligations<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#portability\">H-1B portability when changing employers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#extensions\">Extensions beyond the 6-year limit<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#mistakes\">Common employer mistakes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">Preguntas frecuentes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"timeline\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Annual_H-1B_Timeline\"><\/span>The Annual H-1B Timeline<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<th>Escenario<\/th>\n<th>Typical Timing<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Electronic registration<\/td>\n<td>March, roughly a 2-week window<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Lottery selection<\/td>\n<td>Late March<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Full petition filing<\/td>\n<td>Within 90 days of selection notification<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Earliest employment start date<\/td>\n<td>October 1 for the new fiscal year<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"cost\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Full_Cost_Breakdown_for_Employers\"><\/span>Full Cost Breakdown for Employers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Government fees include the $215 per-beneficiary registration fee, a base I-129 filing fee of $460 for small employers and nonprofits (higher for larger employers), an ACWIA training fee of $750 for employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees or $1,500 for larger employers, and a $500 fraud prevention and detection fee. Optional premium processing adds $2,965 as of March 1, 2026. For new petitions covering beneficiaries currently located outside the United States, the 2025-2026 proclamation adds a $100,000 fee, a policy still being enforced while a court appeal is pending. Add attorney fees on top of all government fees when budgeting.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"obligations\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ongoing_Employer_Obligations\"><\/span>Ongoing Employer Obligations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once sponsorship begins, the employer must maintain a public access file documenting the certified Labor Condition Application, wage data, and required notices to affected employees, pay at least the required wage for the full duration of employment, and notify USCIS of material changes to the job. These obligations continue for as long as the employee holds H-1B status with that employer, not just at the time of filing.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"portability\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"H-1B_Portability_When_Changing_Employers\"><\/span>H-1B Portability When Changing Employers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>H-1B employees can generally begin working for a new sponsoring employer once that employer files a non-frivolous H-1B petition on their behalf, without waiting for approval, under H-1B portability rules. This lets employees change jobs more fluidly than many other visa categories, provided the new employer properly files before the employee starts and the employee maintained status without a gap.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"extensions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Extensions_Beyond_the_6-Year_Limit\"><\/span>Extensions Beyond the 6-Year Limit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>H-1B status is generally capped at six years total, but two exceptions allow extensions beyond that limit: one-year extensions for employees with an approved I-140 petition or a pending PERM\/I-140 filed at least 365 days earlier who are waiting on green card processing, and three-year extensions for employees with an approved I-140 who are waiting for a visa number to become available due to per-country backlogs.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"mistakes\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Employer_Mistakes\"><\/span>Common Employer Mistakes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Frequent issues include missing the March registration window, underestimating the total cost when the new $100,000 fee applies, failing to update the Labor Condition Application and public access file after a material job change, and not tracking the 6-year clock closely enough to file extension paperwork before status lapses. Each of these can cause avoidable delays or compliance exposure.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Preguntas frecuentes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_every_H-1B_petition_require_the_100000_fee\"><\/span>Does every H-1B petition require the $100,000 fee?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Current guidance limits it to new H-1B petitions for beneficiaries who are located outside the United States at the time of filing, under the 2025-2026 proclamation, which remains in effect pending a government appeal.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_cap-exempt_employer_skip_the_lottery\"><\/span>Can a cap-exempt employer skip the lottery?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Certain employers, including institutions of higher education and some nonprofit and government research organizations, are exempt from the annual cap and can file H-1B petitions at any time without going through the March registration and lottery.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_can_premium_processing_take_to_get_a_response\"><\/span>How long can premium processing take to get a response?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>USCIS commits to responding within 15 calendar days of accepting a premium processing request, either with an approval, a denial, or a Request for Evidence, though a Request for Evidence response itself adds additional time.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_an_H-1B_employee_is_laid_off\"><\/span>What happens if an H-1B employee is laid off?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The employee generally has a 60-day grace period, or until the end of the authorized validity period if shorter, to find a new sponsoring employer, change status, or depart the United States.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"conclusion\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bottom_Line\"><\/span>En resumen<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>H-1B sponsorship is predictable in structure but can be expensive and time-sensitive, especially given the 2025-2026 fee changes and the fixed annual registration cycle. Budget for the full fee picture early and track ongoing compliance obligations for the life of the sponsorship, not just the initial filing.<\/p>\n<p>Atlas Legal Immigration Law helps employers plan H-1B sponsorship from registration through compliance. Reach our team at <strong>1750 E Golf Rd Ste 214, Schaumburg, IL 60173<\/strong>, by phone at <strong>(+1) 872 382 2762<\/strong>, or by email at <strong>info@theatlaslegal.com<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h-1b-visado\/\">Learn more about H-1B sponsorship<\/a> o <a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/contact\/\">schedule a consultation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><em>Reviewed by the Atlas Legal Immigration Law editorial team. Last reviewed on August 31, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sources\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sources\"><\/span>Fuentes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Servicios de Ciudadan\u00eda e Inmigraci\u00f3n de los Estados Unidos, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/working-in-the-united-states\/temporary-workers\/h-1b-specialty-occupations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">H-1B Specialty Occupations<\/a><\/li>\n<li>American Immigration Council, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org\/blog\/uscis-implements-h1b-100000-fee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USCIS Implements the H-1B Proclamation $100,000 Fee<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Departamento de Trabajo de los Estados Unidos, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/agencies\/eta\/foreign-labor\/programs\/h-1b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">H-1B Program<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Este art\u00edculo se proporciona \u00fanicamente con fines informativos generales y no constituye asesoramiento legal. Las leyes de inmigraci\u00f3n, las tarifas gubernamentales, las pol\u00edticas y los tiempos de procesamiento pueden cambiar. La lectura de este art\u00edculo o el contacto con Atlas Legal no crean autom\u00e1ticamente una relaci\u00f3n abogado-cliente. El resultado de cualquier asunto de inmigraci\u00f3n depende de sus hechos y circunstancias particulares.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"related\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Articles\"><\/span>Art\u00edculos relacionados<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/l1-visa-vs-h1b-which-work-visa\/\">Visa L-1 vs. H-1B: \u00bfQu\u00e9 visa de trabajo se ajusta mejor a su situaci\u00f3n?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/how-employers-sponsor-foreign-workers-guide\/\">C\u00f3mo los empleadores patrocinan a trabajadores extranjeros: una gu\u00eda paso a paso<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/h1b-premium-processing\/\">H-1B Premium Processing: How It Works<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>H-1B sponsorship follows a fixed annual cycle. Full 2026 employer cost breakdown, timeline, and ongoing wage and public access file obligations.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2932,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[1338,1567,1568,625,1569,1566,1323],"class_list":["post-2933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employment-visas","tag-employment-immigration-lawyer","tag-h-1b-cost-2026","tag-h-1b-employer-obligations","tag-h-1b-portability","tag-h-1b-public-access-file","tag-h-1b-sponsorship-for-employers","tag-h-1b-timeline"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2933\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theatlaslegal.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}