Leading U.S. Visa Sponsors for 2026: Amazon, Microsoft, Google

(UNITED STATES)

For 2026, H‑1B and other work visa sponsorship in the United States will center on employers that still hire global talent even as costs rise and rules tighten. The companies below are drawn from 2024–2025 filing data, approval volumes, and public hiring trends. They are ranked mainly by:

• Recent H‑1B approvals and petitions
• Clear, ongoing demand for foreign professionals
• Breadth of roles for STEM, business, and specialized skills
• Likely ability to absorb higher fees and compliance checks

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, large tech and consulting firms continue to carry most of the H‑1B load, even as some cut back. For many international students and professionals, targeting these employers is still the most realistic route to a U.S. job with visa sponsorship in 2026.

If you are new to the process, the basic rule is that only employers can file H‑1B petitions, usually through Form I‑129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. You can review official details on the USCIS H‑1B overview page, which explains who qualifies and how the cap and lottery work.

How this ranking was built

This list combines multiple public and official sources:

• Government filings and FY 2025 approval data
• Public reports on H‑1B petition volumes
• Hiring trends in AI, cloud, data, and consulting
• Each company’s history and culture around visa sponsorship

Important note: the ranking does not promise that any company will sponsor you. Instead, it highlights where visa sponsorship is more common, so your time and energy go to realistic targets.

Now, here are the top U.S. employers expected to sponsor the most H‑1B and other work visas in 2026, and what that means for you.

1. Amazon.com Services LLC — The top H‑1B powerhouse

Amazon.com Services LLC had 12,439 H‑1B approvals in FY 2025, the most of any U.S. employer. That raw volume matters: even if the company becomes more selective, its scale keeps it a prime target for 2026.

Amazon commonly sponsors roles in:

• Software and data engineering
• Cloud computing (AWS)
• AI and machine learning
• Operations, logistics tech, and product roles

Why Amazon is well‑positioned:

• Large in‑house immigration teams and external counsel mean it can handle higher fees and audits.
• Masters‑level and senior technical roles have the best odds.
• Strong pay offers can be advantageous under a wage‑focused selection approach.
• Internships and internal transfers are realistic stepping stones to H‑1B.

If rules shift, Amazon is also able to move workers between visa categories or into long‑term green card plans.

2. Microsoft Corporation — Cloud and AI driving steady sponsorship

Microsoft remains a top H‑1B petitioner with deep investment in:

• Azure (cloud)
• AI and machine learning
• Office/productivity software
• Cybersecurity and enterprise systems

Common roles and benefits:

• Demand for software engineers, data scientists/ML engineers, product and program managers, and security/infrastructure experts.
• Microsoft’s long H‑1B and green card history provides clear HR communication on timing and sponsorship.
• Possibility of cap‑exempt options through certain research or internal pathways.
• Strong internal processes to support candidates if rules tighten mid‑process.

3. Google LLC (Alphabet) — Research‑heavy hiring with strong visa history

Google consistently ranks among the top H‑1B sponsors, particularly for:

• Software engineering
• Data science and analytics
• AI and deep learning research

Key points for applicants:

• PhD and Masters holders are in strong positions.
• Published research, open‑source contributions, and strong portfolios matter.
• Higher salary bands can help under wage‑based selection systems.
• Google’s sizable legal team can manage stricter checks and costs, making it a stable choice for top technical talent.

4. Meta Platforms, Inc. — AI, social media, and AR/VR roles

Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) sponsors heavily for:

• AI and machine learning
• Recommendation systems and large‑scale infrastructure
• AR/VR and metaverse research
• Mobile app engineering and growth

What Meta looks for:

• Strong coding and system design skills
• Experience with large‑scale, high‑traffic systems
• Competitive offers that land in higher wage levels, which align with policy moves favoring higher‑paid positions

Meta remains a viable sponsor for candidates with top‑tier engineering or research backgrounds.

5. Apple Inc. — Hardware, software, and design talent

Apple is regularly in the top 5–10 H‑1B sponsors and hires for:

• iOS/macOS and services software engineering
• Hardware and chip design (semiconductor R&D)
• Product design, UX, and human‑interface roles
• Machine learning, health tech, and sensor research

Typical candidate fit:

• Electrical and computer engineers, embedded systems specialists, and SoC designers.
• High pay levels can align well with wage‑focused selection.
• Combining technical depth with design/user focus improves sponsorship chances.

6. Cognizant Technology Solutions — Consulting projects under pressure

Cognizant has been an active sponsor, especially for:

• IT consulting and systems integration
• Project‑based work for U.S. clients
• Application maintenance and support

Current dynamics:

• Traditional IT services face lower approvals and increased scrutiny.
• Roles requiring specialized skills or niche systems have better prospects than generic developer staffing.
• Higher billable wages and onshore leadership roles are more realistic sponsorship targets.

Cognizant may sponsor fewer people than before, but remains active for certain skill sets.

7. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) — Still major, but smaller share

TCS is one of the largest Indian‑origin IT employers in the U.S. Its H‑1B approvals have dropped compared with past years, but total sponsorship volume remains high.

Focus areas:

• Long‑term outsourcing contracts
• Enterprise systems (ERP, banking, insurance, telecom)
• Cloud migration and large transformation programs

TCS is now more selective:

• Preference for senior consultants and architects
• Less room for low‑wage or generic roles
• Emphasis on domain depth that U.S. clients cannot easily fill locally

For 2026, TCS is a path mainly for experienced hires with strong domain expertise.

8. Infosys, Wipro, and HCL Technologies — Selective sponsorship

These firms share a similar profile:

• Historically heavy H‑1B sponsors in consulting and managed services
• Strong presence in banking, telecom, manufacturing, and retail projects

Current trends:

• Fewer approvals and more selective filings
• Sponsorship typically occurs when:
  • A U.S. client needs very particular skills
  • The project requires long‑term onshore presence
  • The offered wage supports stricter rules and higher fees

For international graduates, building niche skills (e.g., SAP, mainframe modernization, cybersecurity, advanced cloud) improves chances.

9. Ernst & Young US LLP (EY) — Accounting and consulting with steady H‑1B use

EY frequently appears in H‑1B data for roles in:

• Audit and assurance
• Tax and transfer pricing
• Advisory and management consulting
• Data and technology risk

Typical sponsored profiles:

• Accounting and finance professionals with U.S. or global qualifications
• Data and analytics experts focused on risk, fraud, or compliance
• Technology consultants supporting enterprise systems

EY’s corporate client base gives reason to keep hiring cross‑border talent even with tighter rules. Candidates combining professional certifications and tech skills stand out.

10. Deloitte Consulting LLP — High demand for specialized consulting roles

Deloitte has ongoing sponsorship needs in:

• Strategy and operations
• Technology integration and cloud migration
• Data, AI, and analytics
• Human capital and organizational change

What Deloitte looks for:

• Masters degrees (MBA, MIS, data science, public policy) often preferred
• Mix of domain knowledge and technical skills
• Ability to work in fast‑paced, client‑facing project environments

Deloitte’s scale helps absorb petition costs and reviews, making it a strong target for international students in business and STEM.

11. Intel Corporation — Engineering and semiconductor R&D

Intel ranks among the top H‑1B sponsors because of:

• Semiconductor design and manufacturing needs
• Hardware and chip R&D
• Software for low‑level systems and HPC

Typical sponsored roles:

• Electrical and computer engineers
• PhD researchers in semiconductor fields
• Engineers focused on fabrication, process, and yield

With U.S. policy supporting domestic chip production, Intel and peers are likely to continue hiring advanced technical talent for R&D and long‑term roles.

12. Other major sponsors and rising mid‑size firms

Beyond the headline names, several employers sponsor H‑1B workers in meaningful volumes:

• JPMorgan Chase — tech, risk, and quant finance roles
• Walmart — technology, e‑commerce, and supply chain systems
• IBM — hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting
• Cisco — networking, security, and collaboration tools
• Tesla — engineering, manufacturing tech, and energy systems
• Stripe and PayPal — fintech, payment infrastructure, and security

At the same time, mid‑size and niche companies in:

• AI and machine learning
• Biotech and pharmaceuticals
• Data platforms and cybersecurity
• Specialized R&D and deep‑tech hardware

are appearing more often in Labor Condition Application (LCA) data. These firms may file fewer petitions, but they can be more open to sponsorship when the skills they need are rare.

For candidates shut out of top‑tier tech hiring, a targeted search across mid‑size and niche employers can open realistic 2026 H‑1B opportunities.

Practical tips for applying to these sponsors in 2026

No employer is immune to stricter H‑1B rules, higher costs, and increased reviews. Your profile must help an employer justify filing. Concrete steps:

• Aim for specialized, high‑skill roles. AI, cloud, data, R&D, and hard‑to‑fill engineering jobs are likelier to win sponsorship.
• Strengthen your case on paper. Advanced degrees, high‑impact projects, open‑source contributions, and clear measurable impact help hiring managers and lawyers show you meet H‑1B specialty occupation standards.
• Talk about sponsorship early. Ask recruiters if the role comes with H‑1B or other visa sponsorship and how the firm handled recent changes.
• Know the basic forms and timing. Employers usually file Form I‑129 with USCIS. See official instructions on the USCIS Form I‑129 page.
• Plan backups. Consider STEM OPT extensions, O‑1 (for exceptional achievements), L‑1 (for internal transfers), or long‑term green card pathways if you miss the H‑1B cap.

Key warning: visa sponsorship mentions in job postings have dropped sharply. VisaVerge.com reports that postings mentioning sponsorship in tech fell from 10.9% in 2023 to 1.9% in 2025. The market is tighter—focus and preparation are essential.

Choosing the right sponsor for your 2026 plans

Ask yourself these questions to pick the best targets:

• Where do my skills match real business needs?
  • Deep AI or software engineering: Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple
  • Consulting plus tech or finance: EY, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, IBM
  • Hardware and chips: Intel, Apple, Tesla
• What work style do I want?
  • Product‑focused tech: big tech and fintech
  • Client projects and travel: consulting and IT services
  • Lab, research, and long‑term R&D: Intel and similar firms
• How risk‑tolerant am I?
  • Large, stable sponsors (Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple) offer more structure and resources.
  • Mid‑size or niche firms may sponsor fewer people but present lower competition per role.

Treat this ranking as a starting map. Layer on your own research, networking, and skill building to maximize your chances of turning a 2026 job offer into a real H‑1B or other U.S. work visa.