Software Engineers — United States Visa Sponsorship
Primary route: H-1B
Why Software Engineers matter in United States
The largest H-1B sponsor category every year — software engineers consistently receive 25–30% of all H-1B approvals. All the major US tech firms sponsor, with FAANG-tier employers running annual H-1B filings in the thousands.
Visa rules overview
H-1B requires a bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience), a petitioning employer, and selection in the annual lottery (capped at 85,000 visas/year). Registration opens March, lottery runs early April, work starts October 1. Alternatives: L-1A/B if already with the employer abroad; O-1A for top 10% of field; EB-2/3 permanent residence via PERM labor certification.
Available routes:
- H-1B
- L-1 (intra-company)
- O-1 (extraordinary ability)
- Green Card EB-2/EB-3
Top US sponsors for Software Engineers
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Meta
- Apple
- Oracle
- IBM
- Salesforce
Common hiring cities: San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, New York, Austin, Boston
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a United States visa as a Software Engineer?
H-1B requires a bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience), a petitioning employer, and selection in the annual lottery (capped at 85,000 visas/year). Registration opens March, lottery runs early April, work starts October 1. Alternatives: L-1A/B if already with the employer abroad; O-1A for top 10% of field; EB-2/3 permanent residence via PERM labor certification.
Which companies sponsor Software Engineers?
Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Oracle, IBM, Salesforce — plus smaller and regional employers not listed.
What salary should I expect?
Typical range: $110,000 – $250,000 USD. Salaries trend higher at large-cap tech, finance, and consulting employers.