List of US Companies Licensed to Sponsor Skilled Worker Visa in Tech 2026
Finding a U.S. company willing to sponsor a skilled worker visa (specifically the H-1B) is the “Holy Grail” for many international tech professionals. As we move into 2026, the landscape has shifted; while the “Big Tech” giants remain the most prolific sponsors, there is a growing trend of specialized AI startups and fintech firms entering the arena.
Navigating the U.S. visa system requires more than just talent, it requires targeting the right employers. Below is a comprehensive guide and list of companies that are actively licensed and historically consistent in sponsoring H-1B visas for tech roles in 2026.
Tech Sponsorship in 2026
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently implemented more “beneficiary-centric” selection processes to make the lottery fairer. For 2026, the demand for AI Engineers, Cloud Architects, and Cybersecurity Analysts is at an all-time high. Companies are no longer just looking for “general” developers; they are looking for specialized skills that are in short supply domestically.
Also: How to Register a US LLC as a Non-Resident to Get Paid for Remote Work
Why These Companies Sponsor
Most companies on this list are “H-1B dependent” or “regular sponsors” because they operate at a scale that domestic talent alone cannot satisfy. They have dedicated legal teams to handle the Department of Labor (DOL) and USCIS filings, making the process smoother for you.
Top US Tech Companies Sponsoring Skilled Worker Visa in 2026
1. The “Big Five” (MAANG)
These companies have the highest approval rates and the largest budgets for legal fees.
| Company | Typical Roles Sponsored | Careers Website |
| Amazon | SDE, Solutions Architect, Data Scientist | amazon.jobs |
| Cloud Engineer, AI Researcher, Product Manager | google.com/about/careers | |
| Microsoft | Software Engineer, Azure Specialist, Research | careers.microsoft.com |
| Meta | Machine Learning Engineer, Data Engineer | metacareers.com |
| Apple | Hardware Engineer, iOS Developer, AI/ML | apple.com/careers |
Note: Amazon (including AWS) consistently tops the list, often sponsoring over 7,000 new H-1B visas annually.
2. Enterprise Software & Cloud Leaders
These companies are the backbone of global business infrastructure and are constantly hiring international talent for their U.S. headquarters.
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Salesforce: Known for a strong culture of equality, they sponsor hundreds of developers for their CRM and Slack divisions.
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Oracle: A massive sponsor for cloud infrastructure and database roles. Oracle has a long history of hiring international students from U.S. universities.
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Adobe: Frequently sponsors for specialized roles in creative software and digital marketing analytics.
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Cisco: A leader in networking and cybersecurity. They focus heavily on hiring international talent for hardware and systems engineering.
3. Financial Technology (Fintech) & Banking
In 2026, the line between “bank” and “tech company” has blurred. These firms sponsor thousands of H-1Bs for software development and quantitative analysis.
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JPMorgan Chase: One of the largest non-pure-tech sponsors of H-1B visas.
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Goldman Sachs: Actively recruits for “Strats” and engineering roles.
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PayPal: Continues to sponsor for roles in payments, blockchain, and security.
Read: L-1 Visa vs. H-1B: Best Route for Transferring to the USA?
4. IT Consulting & Services
These firms are “high-volume” sponsors. While they often face more scrutiny from USCIS, they remain the largest gateway for international tech workers.
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Cognizant Technology Solutions: Historically one of the top three sponsors globally.
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Infosys: Focuses heavily on digital transformation roles.
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Tata Consultancy Services (TCS): A global powerhouse that regularly petitions for thousands of skilled workers.
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Accenture: Sponsors for a wide range of consulting and technical implementation roles.
5. Emerging AI & Semiconductor Powerhouses
With the AI boom of the mid-2020s, these companies have become aggressive sponsors to win the global “arms race” for talent.
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NVIDIA: If you are an expert in GPUs or AI frameworks, NVIDIA is a primary sponsor.
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OpenAI: While more selective, they do sponsor H-1B visas for top-tier AI researchers and engineers.
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Intel Corporation: A staple in semiconductor engineering sponsorship.
How to Verify a Company’s Sponsorship Status
Not every job posting mentions “visa sponsorship.” To do your own due diligence, use these three tools:
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USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub: This is the official government database. You can search by fiscal year and company name to see how many visas were approved or denied.
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H1BGrader.com: A user-friendly interface that pulls data from the Department of Labor. It shows you the “Sponsorship Grade” and average salary for sponsored roles.
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MyVisaJobs.com: Excellent for viewing long-term trends and identifying which companies are “H-1B Dependent.”
Strategy for 2026: Beyond the H-1B
While the H-1B is the most common, keep these alternatives in mind when talking to recruiters:
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L-1 Visa (Intra-company Transfer): If you work for a company like Google or Amazon in your home country for a year, they can transfer you to their U.S. office without a lottery.
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O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability): For those with significant achievements in tech (patents, high-impact research, or major awards), this is a “lottery-free” path.
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Cap-Exempt H-1B: If you work for a University or a Non-profit Research Organization, you are not subject to the annual 85,000 visa limit.
Next Steps for Your Job Search
To land a role in 2026, you should focus on these three actions:
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Optimize your LinkedIn: Use keywords like “Distributed Systems,” “LLM Fine-tuning,” or “AWS Solutions Architect” to trigger recruiter searches.
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Target “E-Verify” Employers: Ensure the company is part of the E-Verify program, which is often a prerequisite for sponsorship.
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Check the “Green Card” Policy: Ask recruiters early on if they sponsor for PERM (Green Card) after a certain period of employment.
Would you like me to draft a outreach message to a recruiter at one of these companies that highlights your need for sponsorship professionally?
This video provides a deep dive into the 2025-2026 shifts in the H-1B landscape, specifically explaining how tech giants have overtaken consulting firms in the visa lottery.