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Cost Table


Employment Type Visa Type Time Allotment Max. Length of Employment Process Fees to Employer Other Considerations
Co- Op / Internship F1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) covers the summer internship Up to 12 months No cost to employer - Work must be related to academic program.
- Employer needs to provide a job description and, in some cases, internship evaluations.
- Student must apply and receive this authorization through the F-1 sponsor. This application process should begin at least 2-3 weeks prior to the internship for CPT.
Post Graduation F1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) covers 12 months of full-time work post-graduation + 17 months with STEM Extension Up to 29 months No cost to employer - Student must start the OPT application process 90 days prior to being enrolled for one full academic year.
- Employment will not begin until the completion of the full academic year.
- Employer must provide job description.
  H-1B H-1B is valid for three years initially, can be extended to six years Up to 6 Years Cost varies, between $2,000 - $5,000 - Student with bachelor's degree minimum.
- Applications to DOL & INS. May require an attorney. No requirement to recruit or prefer Americans. Application Fee - $1,130
- Only employers can apply for an H-1B visa, students are not eligible to sponsor or apply for their own H-1B visa.

  • Basic Filing Fee - $320

  • Training Fee - $1500

    • - $750 if employer has less than 25 employees

  • Fraud Prevention - $500

  • Premium Processing - $1,000 (optional)

    • - For expedited action on case within 15 days of filing

  • Possible Additional Fees:

    • - Educational Evaluation

    • - Prevailing Wage Survey

    • - Attorney Fees

  • Employer Must pay Training Fee ($1500/$750)

  • Employee May pay

    • - Educational Evaluation Fee

    • - Fees for dependents of H-1B employee

  • Depends on whether the amount of the fee pushes the H-1B employee’s wage below the prevailing wage

    • - Basic Filing Fee ($320)

    • - Premium Processing Fee ($1,000)

    • - Attorney Fees associated with visa issuance

    • - Retainer Agreement must be structured accordingly

  • Fraud Fee ($500) – law is unclear

  • If Employee pays this fee, it must meet the same standard as above (not pushing the wage below the prevailing wage)


For more information contact Co-op Program Manager Dave DiMaggio at 315-443-5018 or ddimaggi@syr.edu