10 US companies that will sponsor H-1B visas

“Will this company sponsor my H-1B visa once my F-1 OPT ends?”

It’s the question on every international master’s student’s lips as they near the end of their studies.

That’s doubly true for MBA and other business school graduates as they’re limited to 12 months of work on their F-1 OPT extension. After that it’s an H-1B visa or bust. Of course, there are other visa classes, especially for those with an entrepreneurial passion, but that’s not always the easiest option when you’re paying off international student loans at the same time. 

Of course, there’s a lot more to it than simply checking out the top 10 employers hiring international graduates. You want a fulfilling job that ticks a lot more boxes than just H-1B visa assistance - and this step-by-step plan is how you get the job that fits you like a glove.

Your university knows H-1B visa sponsors

You’ll find that the careers department and the international student office at your school work closely to help their international students and graduates find the right employers in the US.

In parallel, companies rely on schools to identify their top talent. It’s a win-win-win for everyone involved.

Even if you have an offer from your internship company or you’re planning to return to the company that helped sponsor your degree, it’s worth checking out what the careers department has to offer. 

Above all, remember to engage with your school’s career and international offices - even if you think it’s too late in the process or you’re already on your OPT. 

Check the H-1B visa databases

It’s no secret that there are websites listing H-1B sponsoring companies. 

This information is public information as US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), approves all H-1B visas and maintains records on where these visa holders work. 

Feel free to browse their website, where you’ll find information on approvals - sortable by the type of degree and salary bands.  

Looking for alternative H-1B visa databases?

The USCIS database is a great place to start, but you’ll notice that the biggest IT employers often apply for H-1B visas to hire international employees without graduate degrees.

If you’re an international graduate from a top American school, you’ll need something with a little more depth. There are several public databases and you’re likely to find one that allows you to filter by city, occupation, job title and more to be the most useful for your searches. 

Use or grow your network to find H-1B employers

If you’ve been working towards your MBA, you know there’s nothing like networking, networking, networking. While there isn’t as much emphasis placed on MS degree applicants to grow their network, a list of growing personal contacts will always make a difference to your future career.