Ibrahim Gardner
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa for educated international professionals that allows them to work in the United States in specialty occupations. After students on the F1 visa complete their optional practical training (OPT), they will typically need to get this visa to continue working in the US. The initial visa usually lasts for three years but can be extended to six years. Major companies often sponsor these visas, but some are better than others, while smaller companies don't always have the resources. Tech companies have historically dominated the list of the top companies that sponsor H-1B visas, but this year's list contains more firms from industries outside of technology. Here are some of the companies that sponsor H-1B visas for international students.
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What You'll Learn
Tech companies sponsoring H1-B visas
The H-1B visa is a highly coveted option for international students who want to stay and work in the US after graduating. The visa allows holders to stay in the US for up to three years, with the possibility of extending for another three years. However, it is becoming more and more complex to secure an H-1B visa.
Some companies are hesitant to sponsor H-1B visas due to the complexities and costs associated with the process. They may prefer to hire US citizens or permanent residents to ensure a stable, long-term workforce. Additionally, some companies may focus on hiring individuals who already have work authorization in the US, such as those with OPT, Green Cards, or other work permits.
Despite these challenges, there are still several US tech companies that sponsor H-1B visas for international students. Here are some examples:
- Cognizant Technology Solutions: A digital solutions provider with a global presence, Cognizant has a history of sponsoring H-1B visas, with approval for 6,321 visas in 2024.
- Google: As one of the world's tech giants, Google has a diverse workforce spanning six continents. The company has approved thousands of H-1B visa applications in recent years, with 5,364 approvals in 2024.
- Tata Consultancy Services: Headquartered in Mumbai, this company has a global presence in the IT services sector. Tata Consultancy Services has made efforts to drive diversity within the workplace and has received approval for H-1B visas for its US-based employees.
- Oracle: This cloud technology provider has become an international household name, with over 160,000 employees worldwide. Oracle hosts a range of diversity and inclusion initiatives and is one of the tech powerhouses that sponsor H-1B visas, with 2,070 approvals in 2024.
- Intel: With dozens of offices and over 131,000 tech professionals worldwide, Intel is an epicenter of international tech talent. The company received approval for 2,520 H-1B visas in 2024.
- IBM: As a well-established tech firm, IBM has a long history of hiring international students and offering programs to attract global tech talent. The company employs individuals from various regions, including Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, and had approval for 2,906 H-1B visas in 2024.
While these companies have sponsored H-1B visas in the past, it's important to note that the landscape is constantly changing. It's recommended to research the most recent data and target companies in industries like technology, finance, healthcare, or engineering, which tend to sponsor visas more frequently.
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International students: visa requirements
For international students, the H-1B visa is a popular option to gain work experience in the US. This visa type is specifically for workers in specialty occupations that require higher education or technical expertise, such as science, medicine, engineering, and mathematics. It is typically valid for three years, with the option to extend for another three years under special circumstances, and only an employer can apply for this visa on behalf of the specialised international worker they intend to hire.
To be eligible for an H-1B visa, the applicant must prove an employer-employee relationship, where the hiring company has the right to hire, fire and supervise the employee's work. The position usually requires a bachelor's degree or higher, and the applicant must provide a detailed explanation of the job's specific duties, the product or service the company provides, and how their degree relates to the role. The H-1B visa also has prevailing wage requirements, which are determined by the job and its geographic location.
Additionally, there is an annual quota of 85,000 H-1B visas, with 20,000 reserved for those with master's or doctoral degrees from American universities. If the number of applicants exceeds the quota, visas are granted through a random lottery system. Due to this competitive nature, it is advisable to research and apply to companies with a history of sponsoring H-1B visas, such as Cognizant, Google, Tata Consultancy Services, Oracle, Intel, Salesforce, IBM, Wipro, and United Airlines.
International students in the US on an F-1 visa can utilise the Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit, which allows them to work for up to 12 months after graduation. STEM graduates can avail of an extension of up to 36 months. However, once the OPT period ends, an H-1B visa becomes a viable option to continue working in the US legally.
It is important to note that maintaining H-1B status requires compliance with visa requirements and restrictions, including consulting with an advisor before travelling outside the US. Spouses and children under 21 of H-1B visa holders fall under the H-4 visa category, which carries restrictions like ineligibility for employment.
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Visa sponsorship for MBAs
The H-1B visa program was created to help US tech firms address labour shortages by allowing them to hire non-immigrant workers for specialty job roles for up to three years. However, it has become increasingly complex to secure an H-1B visa. The vast majority of H-1B applications, over 90%, are for STEM roles, so it can be challenging for MBA graduates to find a suitable role.
International MBA graduates are often forced to move out of the US due to the difficulty in securing an H-1B visa. Critics of the H-1B visa program allege that it is used to replace American workers with lower-cost foreign workers. However, for companies, hiring foreign MBA graduates who require work permits or visas can be risky due to the visa lottery system. As a result, only larger companies with the necessary resources typically plan to hire foreign MBA graduates.
Despite the challenges, some companies are known for sponsoring H-1B visas for international MBA graduates. Digital solutions provider Cognizant has a history of sponsoring H-1B visas, with approval for 6,321 visas in 2024. Tech giant Google has also strengthened its diversity and inclusion initiatives in recent years and received approval for 5,364 H-1B visa applications in 2024. Other companies that sponsor H-1B visas include cloud technology provider Oracle, financial services company JPMorganChase, and tech companies Intel and Salesforce.
When considering visa sponsorship, it is essential to research companies that sponsor H-1B visas annually and offer fulfilling jobs that align with your skills and interests. Consulting firms are also an option, but their visa policies can change frequently, so it is advisable to double-check with their HR or recruiting teams before applying. Additionally, some small consulting firms put applicants in the lottery, increasing the chances of obtaining an H-1B visa.
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Visa sponsorship for STEM graduates
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows educated international professionals to work in the United States in "speciality occupations" for up to three years, with the option to extend for a further three years. Major companies often sponsor these visas, and they are a highly coveted route to post-graduate employment for international students.
For STEM graduates, there are several companies that sponsor H-1B visas. Firstly, Intel, a multinational tech company, is a prominent sponsor of H-1B visas, with over 1,800 total approvals in 2024. IBM is another tech giant that sponsors H-1B visas, with 2,906 approvals in 2024. Additionally, Microsoft, a leading H-1B visa sponsor, recruits talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on software development, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. In 2024, they had more than 3,500 total approvals.
Tech companies like Google and Facebook (Meta) are also attractive options for international MBA graduates, with Google sponsoring 3,661 visas in 2024. Amazon, with its vast global presence, is another well-known sponsor of international students, with 6,396 visas certified in 2022. Apple, too, engages with international talent through the H-1B visa program, sponsoring professionals in hardware and software development.
Outside the tech industry, Deloitte, one of the "Big Four" accounting and consulting firms, is a significant sponsor of H-1B visas, with 1,908 sponsorships in 2024. Ernst & Young, another "Big Four" accounting firm, also recruits international talent through the H-1B visa program.
While these companies offer sponsorship opportunities, it is worth noting that the H-1B visa process is becoming more complex, and the market for talent is highly competitive. International students can enhance their chances by developing in-demand skills, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and software development.
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Visa sponsorship for skilled professionals
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa for educated international professionals that allows them to work in the United States in "specialty occupations". These occupations require at least a bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent. Some examples of "specialty occupations" include cloud computing, artificial intelligence, sales leadership, data analysis, translation, mobile app development, and UX design.
Many major companies sponsor these visas, particularly those in the tech industry. However, smaller companies often do not have the resources, time, or ability to sponsor foreign workers. Here are some examples of companies that sponsor H-1B visas:
Tech Companies
- Microsoft
- Apple
- Facebook (Meta)
- Intel
- IBM
- Oracle
- Salesforce
- Cognizant
- Tata Consultancy Services
- NVIDIA
- Spotify
- Palantir
- Qualcomm Technologies
Other Companies
- Ernst & Young (Accounting)
- Deloitte (Accounting and Consulting)
- Amazon (E-commerce)
- Kikoff (Fintech)
- United Airlines
- Cisco
- Accenture
- Uber
It is important to note that the process of obtaining an H-1B visa can be complex and time-consuming, and there is an element of risk as it ultimately depends on a lottery system. International students and graduates should research companies that sponsor H-1B visas and network to establish connections with those responsible for sponsorship.
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Frequently asked questions
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa for educated international professionals that allows them to work in the United States in specialty occupations for up to three years, which can then be extended by another three years.
Many major companies sponsor H-1B visas, including Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Oracle. Smaller companies may not have the resources, time, or ability to sponsor H-1B visas.
International students can increase their chances of being hired and sponsored by learning in-demand skills such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and software development. Networking and establishing connections with potential sponsors within the company can also be beneficial.
