Visa Sponsorship
When an employer formally supports a foreign national's work visa application — most commonly the H-1B in the US. Sponsorship has significant cost and administrative burden, so not all employers offer it. It's a critical variable in the job search for international candidates.
Visa sponsorship occurs when an employer agrees to petition for and support a foreign national's work authorization in the US (or another country). The most common scenario in the US is H-1B sponsorship for specialty occupation roles. **The H-1B basics:** - Annual cap of 65,000 regular visas + 20,000 for US master's degree holders - Applications filed in April for start dates the following October - The US runs an annual lottery when applications exceed the cap (which they always do) - Employer pays filing fees ($1,500-$6,000+ depending on company size and classification) - Employer must attest to prevailing wage compliance **Who typically sponsors:** - Large technology companies (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple) - Big 4 accounting and consulting firms - Major financial institutions - Healthcare systems - Companies with significant international operations **Who typically doesn't sponsor:** - Small businesses (under 50 employees) — the cost and complexity are prohibitive - Government agencies and most nonprofits (different visa pathways exist) - Companies with stated 'no sponsorship' policies (often disclosed in JDs) **For candidates:** Be transparent about your sponsorship requirements. Search specifically for employers with H-1B sponsorship track records. Tools like myvisajobs.com show companies that have historically filed H-1B petitions — use this to target employers who have a proven track record.
Why it matters
For international candidates, applying to companies that don't sponsor is high-effort, low-probability activity. Focusing your search on companies with H-1B track records — even if it narrows the universe — dramatically improves time-to-interview conversion.
Candidate tip
Search myvisajobs.com for your target company to see their H-1B filing history — how many petitions, what roles, and approval rates — before investing significant effort in the application process.
Related terms
Work Authorization
ApplicationsThe legal right to work in a given country. In the US, citizens, permanent residents, and certain visa holders are work-authorized. Employers frequently ask about work authorization in screening, as sponsoring a visa has cost and process implications for them.
Background Check
ApplicationsAn investigation conducted by an employer (typically post-offer, pre-start) to verify employment history, education credentials, criminal record, and sometimes credit history. Standard practice for most professional roles, especially in finance, healthcare, and government.
Offer Letter
Offers & NegotiationA formal document from an employer outlining the terms of a job offer — title, salary, start date, benefits, reporting structure, and key conditions. The offer letter is the foundation for negotiation and the legal record of agreed terms.
Hiring Process
ApplicationsThe full sequence of steps an employer uses to evaluate and hire candidates — from job posting to background check to offer. Processes vary by company size and role, but typically include: application, screen, interview rounds, assessment, reference check, and offer.