How do I find companies that sponsor H-1B visas?

Use myvisajobs.com to search the public H-1B disclosure database — it shows every company that has filed H-1B petitions and the job titles and salaries. Major sponsors include Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, JPMorgan, Deloitte, and Accenture. In job searches on LinkedIn and Indeed, filter for 'visa sponsorship' or look for it in the job description.

Can I start a business in the US on a visa?

It's complicated. H-1B holders cannot work for their own company unless the company can demonstrate a valid employer-employee relationship. E-2 treaty investor visa is designed for entrepreneurs ($100K+ investment). O-1 visa holders can work for their own company. EB-5 investor Green Card provides the clearest path. Consult an immigration attorney before proceeding.

What is at-will employment?

In 49 of 50 US states (except Montana), employment is 'at-will' — meaning either the employer or employee can end the employment relationship at any time, for any legal reason, with no notice required. In practice, most companies provide 2 weeks notice or severance. For visa holders, job loss triggers a 60-day grace period to find new sponsorship.

How important is a US degree for getting hired?

For visa purposes, an H-1B requires a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a field related to the job. A US degree is not required but can help — US employers are more familiar with American universities, and a US master's degree gives you access to the additional 20,000 H-1B cap exemption. International degrees are evaluated through credential evaluation services (WES, ECE).

What benefits should I negotiate beyond salary?

Key negotiation items: signing bonus ($5K–$50K+ in tech/finance), annual bonus target, equity/stock grants (RSUs or stock options), 401(k) match (employer matching up to 4–6% of salary), additional PTO, remote work flexibility, relocation assistance ($5K–$15K), and professional development budget. Total compensation can be 20–40% above base salary.

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🇺🇸 United States

Work & Business

The US job market is the largest and most dynamic in the world, with 160+ million employed workers across every industry. For expats, the key challenge is securing visa sponsorship — but once you're in, the career mobility, salary levels, and professional development opportunities are unmatched globally..

3.7%

Unemployment Rate

2025 average

$63,795/yr

Median Salary

Individual, full-time

$130K–$250K+

Tech Salary (NYC)

Software engineer

35,000+ companies

H-1B Sponsors

Active sponsors

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🗽New York City 🌴Miami

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Overview

Key Takeaways

At-will employment: most US states allow employers (and employees) to terminate employment at any time without cause
35%+ of US knowledge workers work remotely at least part-time (2025)
Software engineering: $130,000–$250,000+ (senior roles at FAANG exceed $400K total comp)
LinkedIn: the dominant professional platform — optimize your profile, engage with content, reach out to recruiters
Direct communication: Americans value clear, concise communication — say what you mean, ask questions openly

The US Job Market for Expats

The US labor market is fundamentally different from most countries — hiring is faster, firing is easier (at-will employment in most states), and compensation is heavily skewed toward total packages including base salary, bonuses, equity, and benefits. For visa-holding expats, the key is targeting companies with active H-1B sponsorship programs, which skews toward tech, finance, healthcare, and consulting.

At-will employment: most US states allow employers (and employees) to terminate employment at any time without cause
H-1B sponsors: 35,000+ companies actively sponsor H-1B visas — use myvisajobs.com to check company sponsorship history
Top sponsoring industries: technology, finance, consulting, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, higher education
Salary negotiations are expected — always negotiate; first offers are rarely final
Total compensation: base salary + annual bonus (10–30%) + stock/equity + benefits (health, 401k match, PTO)
Standard benefits: health insurance, dental/vision, 401(k) retirement plan, 2–4 weeks PTO, paid holidays
No mandatory paid leave: the US has no federal requirements for vacation, sick leave, or parental leave (employer-dependent)

Remote Work & Freelancing

The US leads the world in remote work adoption, with 35%+ of knowledge workers working remotely at least part-time. Major tech companies offer fully remote positions, and the freelance economy employs an estimated 73 million Americans. For expats, remote work within the US is straightforward; working remotely from outside the US raises complex tax and immigration questions.

35%+ of US knowledge workers work remotely at least part-time (2025)
Fully remote companies: GitLab, Zapier, Automattic, Buffer, Toptal, and thousands more
Remote-friendly cities: Austin, Denver, Nashville, Raleigh, Salt Lake City — lower cost, high quality of life
Freelance platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, LinkedIn ProFinder
Self-employment tax: 15.3% on net earnings (Social Security + Medicare) in addition to income tax
1099 contractor vs. W-2 employee: know the difference — contractors pay their own taxes and get no benefits
Coworking is thriving: WeWork, Industrious, Spaces, and hundreds of independents in every major city

Salary Expectations by Industry

US salaries are among the highest in the world, particularly in tech, finance, and healthcare. Major hubs (NYC, San Francisco, Seattle) pay premium salaries that often more than compensate for their higher cost of living. These are typical total compensation ranges for experienced professionals (3–8 years experience):

Software engineering: $130,000–$250,000+ (senior roles at FAANG exceed $400K total comp)
Investment banking: $150,000–$300,000+ (base + bonus, associate to VP level)
Management consulting: $120,000–$250,000 (associate to principal level at MBB firms)
Healthcare (physician): $200,000–$400,000+ (varies by specialty; surgeons $350K+)
Marketing/advertising: $70,000–$150,000 (manager to director level)
Data science/ML: $120,000–$220,000 (mid to senior level)
Teaching (K-12): $45,000–$80,000 (varies dramatically by state and district)
Note: NYC and SF salaries are typically 15–30% above national averages for the same role

Networking & Job Search

The US job market is heavily relationship-driven. An estimated 70% of jobs are filled through networking rather than cold applications. Building professional connections is essential, especially as a visa-holding expat who needs sponsorship.

LinkedIn: the dominant professional platform — optimize your profile, engage with content, reach out to recruiters
Referrals: ask contacts to refer you internally — referrals have 4–5× higher hiring rates than cold applications
Industry events and meetups: Meetup.com, Eventbrite, and industry-specific conferences
Alumni networks: leverage your university's US alumni chapter for introductions
Recruiters: work with specialized recruiters for your industry; they know which companies sponsor visas
Job boards: LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed, Glassdoor, Built In (tech), AngelList (startups)
Informational interviews: request 15–20 minute conversations to learn about companies and roles — a uniquely American approach

US Workplace Culture

American workplace culture values initiative, direct communication, and results. Understanding these cultural norms will help you integrate effectively and advance your career in the US.

Direct communication: Americans value clear, concise communication — say what you mean, ask questions openly
Initiative: proactively suggesting ideas and volunteering for projects is expected and rewarded
Work-life balance: improving but US workers average 38.7 hours/week; tech and finance often exceed 50+
PTO: typically 2–4 weeks vacation (no federal minimum); many Americans don't use their full allocation
Performance reviews: typically annual or semi-annual — prepare by documenting your achievements
Diversity & inclusion: US companies invest heavily in DEI; be aware of cultural sensitivities
Dress code: business casual is standard in most industries; tech is very casual; finance and law remain more formal

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