Clarify whether the professional scope includes activities planned before the formal start. Separate official charges, employer training costs and travel expenses.
Identify the actual question before spending
Ask which tasks need status assessment and which records support the L-1B proposal. Paying for training or access does not establish work authorization or the required knowledge. Keep commitments tied to the reviewed sequence.
The government charges for an L-1B petition are fixed by the USCIS fee schedule (G-1055): the Form I-129 fee, the fraud prevention and detection fee and any surcharge that applies to the petitioner, with premium processing as an optional addition. Ask which translations are necessary and which factual questions require professional assessment. The fee schedule sets the I-129 base charge and any additional statutory fees for L petitions, and the employer may add premium processing for a faster decision. An estimate should not imply that paying all listed costs guarantees a qualifying office or approval. Itemize evidence preparation, professional advice and current government charges separately. Break the contract price into facilities, travel, equipment, course development, instruction, and post-course support only to explain the commercial arrangement, not to manufacture an eligibility formula. Budget government fees, legal work, relocation, and the continuing cost of maintaining the specialized program.