First Things First: Cap or Cap-Exempt?
Before you start your job search, you’ll need to decide if you want to look for a cap or cap-exempt employer. This depends on your skills and profession. Cap-exempt employers include higher learning institutions and related nonprofit entities, government research organizations, and nonprofit research organizations.
If your education and experience fit with these employers, you can submit your H-1B application any time throughout the year without concern of capped limits on visas. Understandably, these jobs are challenging to obtain but not impossible. If you think your position could be beneficial to a cap-exempt employer, begin your search at government and university job portals. These jobs have the best chance of definitive selection, provided you pass the USCIS screenings and background checks.
Review the H-1B Visa Sponsor Database
Although this may be your first time attempting to find an H-1B visa sponsor, thousands of others before you have gone through the process each year. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There is already a process in place to streamline your search for a willing employer using companies who have previously and recently sponsored H-1B visas.
Using a search engine, type in the keywords “H-1B visa sponsor database.” You can also use “companies that have sponsored H-1B visas in the past.” The more specific you are with your search terms, the more accurate your results will be. For instance, if you want to work in the IT industry in Denver, Colorado, type “recent H-1B visa sponsors IT jobs in Denver, CO.” Your results should bring you a list of companies who have attempted to hire H-1B foreign workers, the salaries they pay, and whether the petitions were approved by USCIS.
Submit Your Application
As with any potential employment, it all starts with an application. Narrow down the companies that you’re interested in working for that have also had success obtaining H-1B visa approval. Then, research the company’s application procedures to submit yours appropriately. If the hiring manager is interested in your resume, they will contact you for more details.
Tips for Successful Applications
Keep in mind that you are likely not the only person applying for the position, and H-1B job sponsors must attempt to hire American nationals before they can extend job offers to foreign workers. You’ll need to ensure your resume, CV, and application stand out from the rest to make it worth the time and expense the employer goes through to hire you.
Typically, when you apply to companies with a history of successful H-1B petitions regularly in recent years, you have a better chance of being selected. Smaller companies may wish to hire you, but if they aren’t already in the system with USCIS, they might not be willing to pay the expensive legal fees and filing costs that come with the H-1B petition.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply, though. In fact, we suggest you apply to as many jobs as you can find that fit your skill set. As long as those employers are not connected to each other, they can all register you as a beneficiary in the FY 2024 lottery, giving you a greater chance of obtaining one of the positions.
Some companies that are well-known for hiring H-1B employees include:
● Microsoft
● Meta/Facebook
● Amazon
● Salesforce
With these companies, those in the IT sector have an immediate connection, but they also frequently need people with a range of skills to fill other positions.
Moving From an F-1 Visa? Intern!
Are you currently in the United States under an F-1 visa? If you’d like to continue your stay in the country without the hassle of returning home and finding a job sponsor, turn your search towards an internship at one of the companies on your list. It’s often easier to get a job as an intern and work your way up to an H-1B employee.
You can also search for internships at career events and job fairs. Get your name, face, and qualifications out there by networking at as many places as you can.
What’s Next?
When you’ve found a company willing to sponsor your H-1B visa, the journey isn’t over just yet. The process is streamlined if the employer has performed multiple petitions in the past. However, it’s always wise to work with a skilled immigration lawyer to ensure everything is completed accurately and timely. Our experts at Visa2US are here 24/7 to guide your steps and optimize your chances of obtaining a successful H-1B visa.
