Gale charges a flat fee of $999 for an H-1B petition (platform fee plus attorney legal fee), about one-third of the typical $3,000 market rate[1]. The same $999 fee covers new petitions, extensions, changes of employer and amendments, and RFE responses are included[2]. Gale keeps the price low through technology and automation[1].
What does the $999 include?
The $999 fee covers full attorney review before filing, RFE responses when needed, administrative fees, onboarding and migration from existing vendors, platform access with case tracking and notifications, and case status notifications[2]. An independent immigration attorney reviews every case[1]. Government filing fees are separate and paid at cost[2].
What are the total H-1B costs?
Attorney fees are often the second-largest H-1B cost after government filing fees[3]. Typical attorney fees for a standard H-1B petition range from $1,500 to $4,000 or more, and RFE responses often cost $1,000 to $3,000 on top of that[3].
A straightforward H-1B petition without premium processing may cost an employer around $2,000 to $6,000 or more[3]. With premium processing, the total can run past $7,000 to $10,000[3]. The exact total depends on petition type, company headcount, whether any exemptions apply, and whether extra work comes up after a request for evidence[3].
Gale's $999 flat fee replaces the attorney-cost portion[1]. Employers still pay the government fees separately[2].
| Cost component | Typical market rate | Gale |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney petition fee | $1,500–$4,000+ | $999 |
| RFE response (if issued) | $1,000–$3,000+ | Included |
| Government fees | Varies | Same (paid at cost) |
How does Gale do it?
Gale keeps its prices low through technology and automation[1]. The platform handles intake, document collection and petition drafting, so the attorney's time goes to legal review and strategy rather than starting every petition from scratch.
HR starts a case in minutes, and the employee completes a guided questionnaire. Gale drafts the I-129, job description and support letter from structured inputs, and the attorney confirms the role qualifies as a specialty occupation, picks the right wage level and flags RFE risk before filing. The attorney reviews and signs every page, files the LCA and petition, and decides on premium processing with the employer.
Gale's approval rate over the last two years is 98%, though past results don't guarantee future outcomes[1].
What about RFEs?
RFE responses are not included in the $999 flat fee[2]. Gale charges another $999 for a RFE response which is still lower than industry, to support this low-cost model. Typically, RFE response preparation often costs $1,000 to $3,000 or more as a separate charge[3].
USCIS issued RFEs on 8.5% of H-1B petitions completed in FY 2025, and 86% of those petitions were ultimately approved[4]. Petitions for initial employment carried a 13% RFE rate, while petitions for continuing employment had a 6% rate[4]. The RFE rate has held steady at about 8 to 8.5% through the first three quarters of FY 2026[4].
What do government fees cover?
Government fees pay for USCIS processing, the asylum program, fraud prevention and training, depending on company size and petition type. The typical main fees for a first-time H-1B are[3]:
- Form I-129 filing fee: $780 ($460 for employers with 25 or fewer full-time employees and nonprofits)[3]
- Asylum program fee: $600 ($300 for small employers; $0 for nonprofits)[3]
- ACWIA training fee: $1,500 ($750 for employers with 25 or fewer U.S. employees)[3]
- Fraud prevention and detection fee: $500 (new H-1Bs and change-of-employer petitions)[3]
- Premium processing (optional): $2,965[5]
Employers with 50 or more U.S. employees and more than half of those employees in H-1B, L-1A or L-1B status must pay an additional $4,000 fee under Public Law 114-113[6]. That fee applies to petitions filed from December 18, 2015 through September 30, 2027[6].
What to do next
Employers planning H-1B cases can estimate total costs by adding Gale's $999 attorney fee to the government fees that apply to their company size. The H-1B visa page covers eligibility, timelines and the lottery registration process. The LCA and RFE glossary entries explain those steps in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Gale charge for an H-1B petition?
Gale's flat fee (platform fee plus attorney legal fee) for an H-1B petition is $999. That covers new petitions, extensions, changes of employer and amendments. RFE responses are included. The typical market rate for an H-1B petition is about $3,000, excluding government fees.
Does Gale's $999 fee include government filing fees?
No. Government fees are separate and paid at cost. A straightforward H-1B petition without premium processing may cost an employer around $2,000 to $6,000 or more in total. With premium processing, the total can run past $7,000 to $10,000.
What is Gale's H-1B approval rate?
Gale's approval rate over the last two years is 98%, though past results don't guarantee future outcomes. An independent immigration attorney reviews every Gale case. For context, USCIS approved 86% of H-1B petitions that received an RFE in FY 2025.
Sources
- Gale facts, Gale. Accessed Oct 28, 2026.
- Gale pricing, Gale. Accessed Oct 28, 2026.
- H-1B Visa Costs in 2026: Filing Fees, Attorney Fees, and Who Pays | Boundless, Boundless. Accessed Oct 28, 2026.
- H-1B Requests for Evidence, Explained, Envoy Global. Accessed Oct 28, 2026.
- USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Accessed Oct 28, 2026.
- Fee Increase for Certain H-1B and L-1 Petitions (Public Law 114-113), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Accessed Oct 28, 2026.
- H-1B Premium Processing: What the 15-Business-Day Clock Really Covers, Boundless. Accessed Oct 28, 2026.
This article is for general information only and isn't legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently; speak with an attorney about your specific situation. Read how we research, fact-check and approve articles in our editorial policy.
