Software engineer jobs in the USA with H-1B visa sponsorship remain the most popular route for international developers. Software developers are the largest H-1B occupation, and big tech companies, banks and consultancies sponsor thousands of workers every year.
The rules changed for the FY 2027 season: USCIS now uses a weighted selection that gives registrations more chances the higher the offered wage level (Level IV entered four times, Level I once). This guide explains what that means, real BLS salaries, other visa options and the green card path.
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Software Engineer Jobs in the USA at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Main visa | H-1B specialty occupation (annual cap with registration) |
| Selection | Weighted by OEWS wage level from FY 2027 (Level IV = 4 entries … Level I = 1) |
| Typical pay | BLS median $133,080/year for software developers (May 2024) |
| Other routes | L-1 intra-company transfer, O-1, TN (Canada/Mexico) |
| Green card | EB-2 or EB-3 through PERM labor certification |
| Best for | Developers with a bachelor’s degree or higher |
1. Types of Software Engineer Jobs Available in the USA
Backend and Platform Engineer
Distributed systems and cloud services.
Full-Stack Engineer
Web applications for SaaS and fintech.
Machine Learning / Data Engineer
Data pipelines and AI products – often higher wage levels.
Mobile Engineer
iOS and Android apps.
Site Reliability / DevOps Engineer
Infrastructure, security and uptime.
2. Software Engineer Salary Ranges in the USA (2026)
BLS national data for software developers (SOC 15-1252):
| Percentile | Annual wage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,850 | Entry level |
| Median | $133,080 | May 2024 |
| 90th percentile | $211,450 | Senior / big tech |
Source: BLS OEWS (May 2024). For H-1B, the offered wage must meet the prevailing wage for the area; check levels on the DOL OFLC wage search.
3. Visa Types for Foreign Software Engineers in the USA
A U.S. employer must petition for you; the right category for software engineers depends on whether the job is temporary or permanent and on your education.
| Visa | Who it is for | Employer needed? | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Specialty occupations needing a bachelor’s degree; annual cap with weighted selection | Yes | USCIS – H-1B cap season |
| L-1B / L-1A | Transfer from a related company abroad after 1 year of employment there | Yes | USCIS – L-1B |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability with sustained acclaim | Yes | USCIS – O-1 |
| TN (USMCA) | Canadian and Mexican professionals in listed occupations | Yes | USCIS – TN |
Universities, nonprofit research organizations and some affiliated employers are cap-exempt. A $100,000 payment announced in 2025 for certain new H-1B petitions has been challenged in court; check the USCIS H-1B page for its current status before planning.
Filing fees change; check the USCIS fee schedule. H-2B employers must not seek recruitment fees from workers (DOL worker protections).
4. List of Companies Offering Software Engineer Jobs With Visa Sponsorship – Contacts and Addresses
These are real, well-known employers of software engineers in the USA. We list the head-office location and the official careers page – the only safe place to apply. Being on this list does not mean a company is hiring or sponsoring foreign workers right now; each posting states its own requirements.
| Company | Head office | Official website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Seattle, WA | Careers page | Cloud, retail tech |
| Microsoft | Redmond, WA | Careers page | Software and cloud |
| Mountain View, CA | Careers page | Search, cloud, AI | |
| Apple | Cupertino, CA | Careers page | Hardware and software |
| Oracle | Austin, TX | Careers page | Databases and cloud |
| Salesforce | San Francisco, CA | Careers page | CRM and AI |
5. Employment Agencies to Find Software Engineer Opportunities – International Recruitment
Recruiters can introduce you to employers, but only a U.S. employer can file your petition. We list head offices and official websites; contact them only through these sites.
| Agency | Head office | Official website | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Half | Menlo Park, CA | www.roberthalf.com | Professional and technical recruitment |
| Randstad USA | Atlanta, GA | www.randstadusa.com | Industrial, healthcare, IT staffing |
| Adecco USA | Jacksonville, FL | www.adeccousa.com | Industrial and hospitality staffing |
For legal help use a licensed U.S. attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative (DOJ accreditation program); the American Immigration Lawyers Association has a lawyer search.
6. Visa Requirements for Employment – Requirements and Documents
- Valid passport
- Approved petition (Form I-797) or, for green cards, approved I-140 and NVC case number
- Signed job offer and reference letters with dates, duties and hours
- Degree certificates and an academic evaluation if your degree is foreign
- Detailed reference letters showing technologies and responsibilities
- DS-160 (temporary) or DS-260 (immigrant) confirmation
- Medical exam by a panel physician and police certificates (immigrant visas)
7. Steps to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Software Engineer – How to Apply
- Agree the visa route with the employer (H-2B, EB-3 or H-1B).
- Search real job orders on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov and certified employers on FLAG.dol.gov.
- Apply directly to the employer or its named recruiter and interview.
- The employer files labor certification with the Department of Labor, then the USCIS petition.
- Complete the DS-160/DS-260, pay the fee and attend the embassy interview (wait times).
- Travel and work for the petitioning employer.
Possible websites to apply for sponsorship visas
- SeasonalJobs.dol.gov – official H-2A/H-2B job orders
- FLAG.dol.gov – certification data
- travel.state.gov – employment-based immigrant visas
- Official careers pages of the employers above
8. Pathways That Can Give a Green Card (Permanent Residence)
The main permanent route for software engineers is an employment-based green card: PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor (unless exempt), Form I-140, then waiting for your priority date in the Visa Bulletin.
| Pathway | How it works | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| EB-3 skilled / other workers | 2+ years training (skilled) or less (other workers); long waits for other workers | USCIS – EB-3 |
| EB-2 | Advanced degree or exceptional ability | USCIS – EB-2 |
Most H-1B engineers move to a green card through PERM labor certification and an EB-2 (advanced degree) or EB-3 petition. Wait times depend on your country of birth; Indian-born applicants face the longest EB-2/EB-3 backlogs.
Track cases on USCIS case status and CEAC. Policies changed often in 2025–2026, so confirm rules on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov.
9. Meeting the Eligibility Requirements
- Degree: a U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in a related field.
- Job: the role must be a specialty occupation.
- Employer: must register you in March (for cap cases) and file a Labor Condition Application.
- Admissibility: no disqualifying criminal or immigration history and truthful forms.
10. Applying at the Embassy – Work Visa Verification, Embassy Contacts and Verification
After USCIS approval you interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate (directory: usembassy.gov). Contacts below are from official embassy pages (checked October 2026).
| Country | Mission | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | U.S. Embassy Abuja | Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja | +234 209 461 4000 | Official page |
| India | U.S. Embassy New Delhi | Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 | +91-11-2419-8000 | Official page |
| Philippines | U.S. Embassy Manila | 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000 | +63-2-5301-2000 | Official page |
How to verify a job offer or visa
- Check the employer on FLAG.dol.gov or the job order on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov.
- Verify receipt numbers on USCIS case status.
- Never pay via personal accounts or gift cards; read the USCIS scam guide.
11. Mistakes to Avoid During the Process – Immigration Errors
- Multiple employers registering you through related companies to “game” the lottery – it can lead to denial.
- Accepting “benching” without pay – H-1B employers must pay the required wage.
- Paying for a “guaranteed” U.S. job or green card.
- Treating a recruiter as your sponsor – only the employer can petition.
- Working on a tourist visa.
- Inconsistent work history between CV, petition and DS-160/DS-260.
12. Settlement Benefits and Relocation Planning
Tech hubs such as the Bay Area, Seattle and New York have very high living costs. Compare offers on total compensation, including health insurance and relocation support.
| Topic | What to know | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | Usually through the employer | HealthCare.gov |
| Social Security number | Needed for payroll | ssa.gov |
| Newcomer guide | Official information | USA.gov |
Conclusion
Software engineer jobs in the USA with H-1B visa sponsorship are still achievable, and the new weighted selection rewards higher wage offers. Consider L-1, O-1 or TN as alternatives and plan your green card early.
Next step: target employers that sponsor regularly and apply on their official careers pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the new H-1B weighted lottery work?
From FY 2027, each registration is entered into the selection pool one to four times depending on the OEWS wage level of the offer (Level I once, Level IV four times).
When is H-1B registration?
Usually in March each year for jobs starting October 1. Check the USCIS H-1B cap season page.
How much do software engineers earn in the USA?
BLS reports a median of $133,080 per year for software developers (May 2024).
Can I get a green card as a software engineer?
Yes, typically through PERM and an EB-2 or EB-3 petition sponsored by your employer.
Is there an alternative if I am not selected?
Options include L-1 transfers after a year with a multinational abroad, O-1 for top talent, TN for Canadians and Mexicans, or cap-exempt employers.
Do I have to pay a recruiter to get a U.S. visa?
No legitimate route requires you to buy a job. H-2B rules prohibit employers and their recruiters from charging workers recruitment fees, and you should never pay anyone who “guarantees” a visa.
Next guide: Executive and Manager Jobs in the USA With L-1A and EB-1C Visas →
Important: ConvertKind Jobs is an independent information website. We are not an employer, recruiter or immigration adviser, we do not offer jobs or visas and we never charge fees. Rules, wages and fees change often, so always confirm details on the official government websites linked in this guide or with a licensed immigration professional before you apply or pay anyone.