The H-1B visa is the most sought-after work visa for highly skilled workers seeking employment in America. However, obtaining the H-1B visa sponsorship is a necessary step to continue with because employees are not allowed to sponsor their applications. They must have a US employer sponsor on their behalf.
In this start-to-finish guide, we’re going to provide you with everything there is to know about H-1B sponsorship, including:
✔ What is H-1B visa sponsorship
✔ How to find H-1B sponsors
✔ How to get H-1B sponsorship
✔ Best companies and employers that sponsor H-1B employees
Let’s begin
What is an H-1B Visa Sponsorship?
H-1B is an immigrant non-visa classification under which US employers can sponsor foreign technical professionals in areas like information technology, engineering, finance, health care, and science.
As one cannot sponsor oneself for an H-1B visa, one must be sponsored by an American employer who promises to sponsor him or her. Such sponsorship is referred to as H-1B sponsorship.
Key H-1B Sponsorship Characteristics
✔ Foreign worker’s employer petitions for H-1B status (Form I-129) for foreign worker.
✔ Job position must be an occupation that could be described as a specialty occupation of bachelor’s degree level or above, or equivalent.
✔ Employer must remit the prevailing wage rate published by the U.S. Department of Labor, at least.
✔ The employer must submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) so to the terms and conditions of employment.
An H-1B visa is impossible without employer sponsorship.
Related: New Rules of H-1B Visa
How to Find H-1B Visa Sponsorship?
It is hard to get a U.S. employer to sponsor your H-1B visa, but the next five are surefire ways of increasing your sponsorship opportunity:
1. Research Firms Which Sponsor H-1B Visas
Some companies commonly hire foreign workers and are likely to sponsor H-1B visas. You can spot these companies through:
✔ H-1B Data Websites – Websites like H1BGrader, MyVisaJobs, or USCIS databases give lists of firms who previously filed H-1B petitions.
✔ Career Pages of Companies – Check if the company mentions H-1B sponsorship in job listings.
✔ LinkedIn Job Search – Use filters to search for the recruitment of foreign professionals.
2. Seek Out Employers That Accept H-1Bs
Due to their heavy reliance on foreign professionals, certain American companies frequently sponsor H-1B visas. They are:
✔ Technology Corporations: Facebook (Meta), Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
✔ Consulting and Outsourcing Firms: Cognizant, TCS, Accenture, Deloitte, and Infosys.
✔ Banking & Finance: Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs.
✔ Medical Research & Healthcare: NIH, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic.
3. Make connections with recruiters and experts in H-1B
H-1B sponsorship is obtained by many professionals via networking or referrals:
✔ Participate in H-1B visa job seekers’ LinkedIn groups.
✔ Go to tech conferences and professional workshops.
✔ Make contact with recruiters who are receptive to immigration and specialize in hiring foreign workers.
4. Examine F-1 OPT/CPT as a Pathway to H-1B
Applying for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training) can enable international students in the US to get employment with a firm that sponsors H-1Bs. Many students start their OPT work before being sponsored by H-1B.
5. Be employed by a cap-exempt company
Certain companies can sponsor visas at any time of the year since they are exempt from the H-1B lottery. These consist of:
✔ Academic institutes and universities.
✔ government and non-profit.
✔ Government research organizations.
One excellent method of obtaining an H-1B visa without playing the lottery is to work for a firm that is exempt from the cap.
H-1B Visa Sponsorship Process (Step-by-Step Guide)
Step 1: Locate a Sponsoring U.S. Employer You
You should begin by submitting applications for positions with businesses that employ foreigners. Your cover letter and CV should emphasize your experience and abilities in a specialized field.
Step 2: The employer applies a labour condition (LCA)
After you accept a job offer, the employer is required to:
✔ confirm that they are paying you the prevailing wage by filing an LCA with the Department of Labor (DOL).
✔ Await approval of the LCA, which should take 7–10 days.
Step 3: Employer Submits Form I-129 to USCIS
Once the LCA is approved, the employer files.
✔ Form I-129 (H-1B Petition) with USCIS.
✔ Pays the required filing fees (between $1,710 – $6,460).
Step 4: Participate in the H-1B Lottery (If Applicable)
✔ If your employer is subject to the H-1B cap, your petition will enter the H-1B lottery (if registrations exceed the 85,000 visa limit).
✔ If selected, USCIS will process your application.
Step 5: If you’re outside the United States, proceed with the visa stamping interview
✔ You will have to schedule an appointment at an American embassy in your home country if your H-1B petition is approved.
✔ Take the required documents, including your passport, pay stubs, LCA, job offer letter, and Form I-797 approval notice.
You may travel to the United States and start working as soon as your visa is approved.
Check Out: H-1B Visa News
Challenges in Obtaining H-1B Visa Sponsorship & How to Overcome Them
Although it is challenging to obtain an H-1B sponsorship, early planning, and judicious job search can improve your prospects.
1. Limited H-1B Cap & Lottery Process
✔ Issue: Only 85,000 new H-1B visas are issued annually, and demand usually outstrips supply, so selection by lottery is unlikely.
✔ Solution
- Submit through several H-1B sponsors to have a better chance.
- Seek cap-exempt employers (research institutions, educational institutions, non-profit organizations).
2. Reluctant Employer to Sponsor H-1B Employees
✔ Issue: Others are reluctant to sponsor because of cost, legal issues, and uncertainty in the lottery procedure.
✔ Solution
- Identify firms with previous records of H-1B sponsorship (consult H1BGrader, MyVisaJobs, USCIS database).
- Highlight your advanced skills and experience in areas of labor shortage (healthcare, finance, technology).
3. Over-competition by Other Well Qualified Candidates
✔ Problem: Multiple well-qualified candidates have the same H-1B positions in mind, and competition is stiff.
✔ Solution
- Enhance your resume, credentials, and portfolio.
- Apply for jobs in niche professions with fewer candidates (AI, data science, cybersecurity, etc.).
4. Processing Time & Delays of Several Months
✔ Problem: H-1B processing lasts months, creating uncertainty.
✔ Solution
- Employers can use Premium Processing ($2,500) to accelerate adjudication to 15 days.
- Plan filing of job applications and visa petitions (at least 6 months before you terminate your current status).
5. Maintaining H-1B Status After Sponsorship
✔ Problem: After obtaining an H-1B visa, you must follow immigration law and uphold your valid employment status.
✔ Solution
- Have your employer file amendments and renewals within a timely timeframe.
- If you lose your job, you can use the 60-day grace period to seek a new H-1B sponsor or switch your visa status.
Top Industries and Companies Sponsoring H-1B Visas
Though all sectors use H-1B, there are some specific sectors with high foreign labor requirements.
1. IT & Software Industry
✔ Highest demand for software developers, data scientists, AI and machine learning experts, and cybersecurity experts.
✔ Top Sponsors: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Facebook (Meta), Intel, IBM, Oracle.
2. Consultancies & Outsourcing Firms
✔ Information technology consultancies hire huge numbers of H-1B workers under project placements.
✔ Top Sponsors: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Cognizant, Accenture, Capgemini, Deloitte.
3. Financial Services & Banking
✔ The hardest jobs are finance quants, risk analysts, investment banking, and fintech.
✔ Top Sponsors: The leading sponsors include Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo.
4. HealthCare & Medical Research
✔ Ongoing economic assistance to doctors, researchers in medicine, pharmacists, therapists, and nurses is supplied by H-1B.
✔ Top sponsors: Kaiser Permanente, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic.
5. Manufacturing & Engineering
✔ Disciplines in engineering including aeronautical, civil, electrical, and mechanical sponsor H-1Bs more often than others.
✔ Top sponsors: Tesla, Ford, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing.
Alternative Visa Options if You Don’t Get H-1B Sponsorship
If you do not get an H-1B visa, there are other work visas through which qualified professionals can work in the U.S.
1. L-1 Visa (Intra-Company Transfer)
✔ For staff of multinationals moving to a U.S. branch.
✔ No H-1B lottery requirement.
2. O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability)
✔ For those with extraordinary abilities in science, arts, business, or sports.
✔ No limit or lottery but requires solid credentials.
3. TN Visa (For Canadians & Mexicans)
✔ Under NAFTA/USMCA for engineering, finance, healthcare professionals, etc.
✔ No lottery, quicker processing than H-1B.
4. E-2 Visa (Investor Visa)
✔ For business people who invest in an American company.
✔ Does involve a major investment but does permit self-employment.
5. Green Card (PERM/EB-2/EB-3 Process)
✔ If you have an employer who will sponsor you, you can directly apply for a Green Card in the employment-based (EB) category.
FAQs About H-1B Sponsorship
Q1. What is involved in H-1B sponsorship?
Ans:- H-1B sponsorship involves a U.S. company filing an H-1B petition on your behalf so you can work within the U.S. legally.
Q2. Can I receive an H-1B visa without sponsorship?
Ans:- No. You will need a U.S. employer to sponsor your petition. You cannot independently petition for an H-1B visa.
Q3. How do I find companies which sponsor H-1B visas?
Ans:- To find companies that sponsor H-1B visas, you can start by researching industries known for hiring foreign talent.
✔ Search H1BGrader, MyVisaJobs, and USCIS databases to see companies previously approved for H-1Bs.
✔ Look for tech, finance, consultancy, and health firms.
Q4. An H-1B sponsorship, how much will the employer have to pay?
Ans:- Employees pay a total of $1,710 – $6,460 for H-1B petitioning.
Only the employees pay for visa stamping (~$190 for Indian clients).
Q5. May I change employers following H-1B sponsorship?
Ans:- Yes! You can switch employers on an H-1B without having to go through the lottery again. The new employer must submit an H-1B transfer petition.
Q6. What happens if I lose my H-1B job?
Ans:- You have a 60-day grace period to:
✔ Find a new employer and apply for an H-1B transfer.
✔ Change status (B-2, F-1, O-1, etc.).
✔ Leave the U.S. if no new job is available.
Q7. Can small businesses sponsor an H-1B visa?
Ans:- Yes, but small businesses must:
✔ Demonstrate that they can afford the prevailing wage.
✔ Demonstrate a real need for a foreign worker with a speciality occupation.
Conclusion
The H-1B visa continues to be one of the most popular options for skilled foreign professionals looking for a job in the U.S. Yet, given its lottery selection and high requirements, applicants and employers must prepare months in advance.
✔ Begin early job search and look for H-1B-friendly employers.
✔ Customize your resume & apply to several jobs to improve your chances.
✔ Connect with recruiters, visit career fairs, and utilize LinkedIn optimally.
✔ Look at other visas (L-1, O-1, TN, Green Card) if H-1B does not materialize.
Though the H-1B visa process is competitive, careful planning and determination can assist you in getting sponsorship and establishing your career in the U.S.