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The Fast, Flexible H-1B Alternative for Global Hiring
Struggling with high H1-B application fees? Tired of tracking changes to the program? Upwork gives you a fast, safe, and streamlined way to find and work with expert tech pros — no visas, no delays, no uncertainty.
Hire an expertThe latest on the H-1B visa program
As of September 19, 2025, a $100,000 fee is required for new H-1B visa petitions. This applies to employers entering the 2026 H-1B lottery and beyond.
More H-1B program changes are expected in the months ahead. The Department of Labor plans to raise prevailing wage levels to ensure the program supports highly skilled roles. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security is working to prioritize higher-paid, higher-skilled workers in the H-1B lottery.
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What you need to know about the H1-B program
The H‑1B is a U.S. work visa that allows employers to temporarily hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations, such as tech, engineering, and finance. It requires sponsorship by a U.S. employer and is subject to an annual cap and lottery system.
The H1-B program is currently capped at 65,000 visas per year. There are an additional 20,000 visas available for foreign workers who hold an advanced degree from a U.S. university.
As an employer, sponsoring an H‑1B visa will typically cost you $100,000 for a new petition. You’ll also be responsible for additional filing fees and legal expenses, which can add up to thousands more. Keep in mind that paying the fee doesn’t guarantee a visa — it only allows the candidate a chance to enter the lottery.
The full process — from registration to approval — often takes 6 to 9 months or more. It includes lottery selection, petition filing, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processing, with no guarantee of approval.
Employers face several challenges with H‑1B sponsorship: limited annual caps, random lottery selection, long processing times, and significant legal and filing costs. Even after sponsorship, there’s no guarantee of approval.
H‑1B sponsorship can take months, costs thousands in legal and application fees, and offers no guarantee of approval. With Upwork, you can post a job in minutes, review proposals the same day, and make a hire within three days on average. No immigration paperwork and no long-term risk.
Yes. Upwork makes it easy to continue working with freelance professionals long term. Some clients use Upwork to build a reliable bench of talent they go to again and again.
Upwork uses identity verification, profile reviews, and ongoing performance tracking to help ensure professionals meet platform standards. You can also check a freelancer’s verified work history, client reviews, and Talent Badges when evaluating fit. Some clients start with a small paid assignment before offering the main project.
Upwork features professionals across software developers, data scientists, cloud architects, economists, electrical engineers, and more. Many have experience with U.S. startups and enterprise clients.
Clients on the Marketplace plan pay a 3% - 5% service fee on all payments to freelancers. Clients also pay a one-time contract initiation fee of $0.99 to $14.99 when starting a new contract. There are no legal or immigration costs. In contrast, sponsoring an H‑1B visa includes a $100,000 fee for each new petition, along with additional filing fees and legal expenses that can add up to thousands more. This cost does not guarantee a visa — it only allows the candidate to enter the lottery.
Yes. Upwork provides built-in contracts, enables secure payments in over 180 countries, and collects required tax forms from non-U.S. freelancers. It also complies with local tax laws where applicable, including VAT and GST on service fees.
Freelancers are treated as independent contractors by default. However, it’s your responsibility to determine the correct worker classification for each project. If a role requires employment classification, Upwork offers Upwork Payroll and Any Hire services to help manage classification, taxes, and compliance with local laws.
Yes. Upwork’s Terms of Service include confidentiality protections by default, and freelancers agree to keep shared information private. You can also upload a custom NDA if your project requires additional safeguards.
Yes. Upwork protects client payments with built-in safeguards, including Payment Protection for hourly contracts and in a secure project funds account for fixed-price projects. Payments are processed securely on Upwork’s platform and supported in 180+ countries, with local currency options and trusted global payment partners like PayPal, Payoneer, and bank transfers.
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