The H-1B visa is your ticket to stay and work in the US after you graduate, and H-1B visa sponsorship is a highly coveted route to post-graduate employment for international students.
You can stay in the US for up to three years on an H-1B visa, which can then be extended for a further three years.
To get an H-1B visa, you need to be sponsored by an employer, who will petition the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf.
The list of the top companies that sponsor H-1B visas has historically been dominated by tech companies, a sign of how the market for talent has shifted toward the industry over the past two decades, with tech becoming a top career path for b-school grads.
However, waves of layoffs have swept the tech sector in recent years, affecting companies’ ability to take on new hires. This has had a knock-on effect when it comes to H-1B visa sponsorship, and this year’s list contains more firms from industries outside technology than usual.
So, here are the top 15 companies that sponsor H-1B visas based on their total* number of approvals during the 2024 fiscal year.
Which Companies Sponsor H1B Visas?
15. HCL America
1,593 visa approvals
HCL offers computer programming solutions, ideal for MBA graduates wanting to accelerate or pivot their careers towards cutting edge technology.
The firm works across industries, covering areas like the automotive industry, aerospace and defense, media and entertainment, healthcare, and capital markets. HCL sponsored 1,593 H1B visas in 2024.
14. IBM
1,669 visa approvals
IBM is a top MBA employer with a highly skills-led approach to hiring. Insiders at the firm say landing a place at IBM is contingent on your ability to work with tech and adapt with change, as well as having a curiosity to learn.
IBM focuses on design and business strategy, tech support, and talent management, meaning there are options for talented international MBAs at the firm across a wide range of business areas. In total, the firm had 1,669 visa approvals in 2024.
13. Intel
1,801 visa approvals
One of the world’s largest producers of semiconductor chips, Intel is a multinational tech company headquartered in California.
Operating in a highly competitive space where innovation is key, Intel is regularly on the hunt for top global talent. H-1B visa sponsorship is a key tool by which the firm bolsters its ranks. Intel had more than 1,800 total H-1B visa approvals in 2024.
READ: What Skills Are Required For A Career In Tech?
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12. Deloitte Consulting
1,908 visa approvals
It’s one of the prestigious Big Four accounting and professional services firms, and Deloitte regularly ranks among the most desirable employers for b-school students.
A recruiter of top international talent across its accounting and consulting businesses, Deloitte Consulting alone was one of the largest sponsors of H-1B visas in 2024, with 1,908 H-1B sponsorships in total.
11. Capgemini
2,046 visa approvals
Consulting is one of the top three industries that attract MBA talent every year and Capgemini is among the highest paying consulting firms globally.
Capgemini is one of a number of firms in this list that operate in the realm of digital solutions consulting. It focuses heavily on digital transformation, tech, and engineering services, and hires MBA and business masters grads annually.
In 2024, Capgemini sponsored more than 2,000 H-1B visas.
10. EY
2,107 visa approvals
Along with Deloitte, EY is one of the Big Four accounting firms that offer global employment opportunities and attract ambitious professionals each year.
At EY, business school grads can look for roles in areas ranging from consulting to accounting and audit. And, with more than 2,100 H-1B visa sponsorships in 2024, the firm offers significant opportunities for foreign nationals aiming to work in the US.
9. Walmart
2,238 visa approvals
While not as popular as career paths such as tech and consulting, consumer goods is an area that attracts business school grads each year and top retailers like Walmart are a regular source of job opportunities.
One of the most recognized brands in the US, and the world’s largest retailer, it’s little surprise that Walmart was able to sponsor a large number of H-1B visas in 2024, achieving more than 2,200 in total.
READ: Is Technology A Good Career Path?
8. Apple
2,910 visa approvals
Apple is the largest company in the world, and you don’t get to a market valuation of more than $3 trillion without top talent in the ranks.
The tech firm consistently hires grads from top schools like Duke Fuqua, Harvard Business School, and NYU Stern. In 2024, Apple earned its place among the top H-1B sponsoring companies with almost 3,000 approvals.
7. Microsoft
3,569 visas approvals
Microsoft hires swaths of MBA and business masters graduates every year into a broad range of areas including product management, business intelligence, and marketing.
With plenty of leadership positions open for top talent in the firm, it’s no surprise Microsoft ranks among the top companies that sponsor H-1B visas, with more than 3,500 total approvals in 2024.
6. Google
3,661 visa approvals
Another of the select few companies with a market cap above $1 trillion, Google is a top destination for international MBA grads looking to secure H-1B visas after business school, renowned as an employer that offers strong salaries and unique benefits.
H-1B visa sponsorship at Google is likely for international talent—the firm sponsored 3,661 visas in 2024. It regularly hires MBA and business masters grads into roles such as product manager, project manager, marketing manager, and finance business partner.
READ: 10 Best MBA Programs For Tech Jobs In 2024
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5. Meta
3,783 visa approvals
Another big tech firm on this list snapping up international MBA talent is Facebook owner, Meta. New H-1B sponsored hires at the firm can join one of the company’s many offices across the US, including the cutting-edge headquarters in Menlo Park.
With the business constantly looking to innovate, there are plenty of opportunities for talented MBAs and business master's grads at the firm. In total, Meta sponsored 3,783 H-1B visas in 2024.
4. Cognizant Technology Solutions US
5,080 visa approvals
By this point you’ve probably realized the thread that runs through the list of top companies that sponsor H-1B visas: technology. That's true despite the sector hitting some bumps recently.
Sitting just outside of the top three is another business consulting, IT and outsourcing firm, Cognizant, which sponsored more than 5,000 H-1B visas in 2024, a significant jump ahead of previous firms in this list.
Top 3 H1B visa sponsoring companies
3. Tata Consultancy Services
5,273 visa approvals
Kicking off the top three companies that sponsor H-1B visas is Tata Consultancy Services.
The Indian multinational has a keen focus on app development, capacity planning, consulting, payment processing, software management, and technology education services.
If you’re an international MBA graduate looking to stay in the US after business school, Tata is definitely a firm worth looking at, sponsoring more than 5,200 H-1B visas in 2024.
2. Infosys
5,913 visa approvals
Infosys is a leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. The firm is headquartered in Bangalore, India, but is a top hirer of international MBA talent in the US.
H-1B visa sponsorship at Infosys should be a target for international grads who want to work at the intersection of present and future tech advancements. The firm sponsored almost 6,000 H-1B visas in 2024.
1. Amazon
7,011 visa approvals
Amazon hires waves of MBA graduates every year, so much so that H-1B visa approvals at the firm are split among the company’s several entities, including Amazon.com and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
It’s no surprise, then, that the firm tops the list. Amazon.com alone secured more than 7,000 total visa approvals in 2024. When you factor in other subsidiaries, including AWS and Amazon’s development and data centers, then that figure rises even higher.
International MBA and business master’s grads can land jobs at Amazon in an array of areas, from finance and retail to product and program management. They join a firm with a unique culture, including free community banana stands and a dog friendly environment.
One thing is clear: tech companies remain a good place for international MBA and business master’s graduates to look for post-business school careers.
Although the H-1B visa lottery doesn’t guarantee everyone who applies for a visa will stay in the US, there are clear benefits to targeting the top companies that sponsor H-1B visas.
For more information on how to launch your career with one of these top companies, including free advice from b-school careers experts, download our BusinessBecause Careers Guide: What's Next After Business School?
*Data for this article was sourced from the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services, for the 2024 fiscal year. Figures reported are the number of H-1B petitions listed under 'initial approval' and 'continuing approval' This article was first written by Thomas Nugent in 2021 and is updated annually.
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