Top 10 Universities and Academic Medical Centers Sponsoring H-1B Visas

Mihailo Bozic
Mihailo Bozic
Updated September 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Universities and academic medical centers that sponsor H-1B visas, including Mayo Clinic, University of Michigan, and University of Rochester, are cap-exempt, meaning they can file petitions any time of year and skip the annual lottery, making them among the most reliable H-1B sponsors in the education sector. Migrate Mate ranks these sponsors by 1,625 H-1B approvals in the latest U.S. government disclosure data as of September 5, 2026. For candidates in specialty occupations, a cap-exempt university or academic medical center employer means no lottery risk and no fixed filing window.

Which universities and academic medical centers sponsor the most H-1B visas?

Ranked by H-1B approvals in the latest published U.S. government disclosure data · live open-role counts from Migrate Mate, updated daily

  1. 01
    Mayo Clinic

    Mayo Clinic

    Academic MedicineResearchClinical Care
    255H-1B approvals

    Mayo Clinic had 255 H-1B petitions approved in the last year, the most of any universities and academic medical center on this list. Its current openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. Mayo Clinic operates a nonprofit academic medical center system providing integrated clinical care, research, and medical education.

    Open roles by team

    • Nursing448
    • Healthcare Administration372
    • Physicians & Surgeons324
    • Science & Research130
    • Allied Health96

    +145 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Mayo Clinic432 open
    Research Fellow - Neurology
    Rochester, Minnesota · On-site
    Apply
    Research Fellow
    Rochester, Minnesota · On-site
    Apply
    Registered Nurse
    Eau Claire, Wisconsin · On-site
    Apply
    Licensed Practical Nurse
    Rochester, Minnesota · On-site
    Apply
    Cardiovascular Technologist
    Jacksonville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    See all 432+ Mayo Clinic H-1B jobs
  2. 02
    University of Michigan

    University of Michigan

    Higher EducationResearchHealth System
    248H-1B approvals

    University of Michigan had 248 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Science & Research and Engineering (Non-Software). The University of Michigan is a public research university offering education, research, and healthcare through its Ann Arbor campus and health system.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research5
    • Engineering (Non-Software)4
    • Project & Program Management2
    • Electrical Engineering1
    • Mechanical Engineering1
    Open roles at University of Michigan3 open
    Senior Mechanical Engineer
    Ann Arbor, Michigan · Hybrid
    Apply
    Senior Electrical Engineer
    Ann Arbor, Michigan · Hybrid
    Apply
    Research Assistant in Health Economics and Applied Econometrics
    Ann Arbor, Michigan · On-site
    Apply
    See all University of Michigan H-1B jobs
  3. 03
    University of Rochester

    University of Rochester

    Higher EducationMedical CenterResearch
    156H-1B approvals

    University of Rochester had 156 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. The University of Rochester is a private research university with a medical center providing education, scientific research, and patient care.

    Open roles by team

    • Nursing373
    • Healthcare Administration322
    • Allied Health105
    • Project & Program Management93
    • Science & Research91

    +506 roles across other teams

    Open roles at University of Rochester455 open
    Physician Support Representative III
    Rochester, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Payment Poster II
    Rochester, New York · Hybrid
    Apply
    Pharmacy Technician
    Rochester, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Self-Pay Collection Rep III
    Rochester, New York · Hybrid
    Apply
    Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant
    Rochester, New York · On-site
    Apply
    See all 455+ University of Rochester H-1B jobs
  4. Unlock every H-1B job from these sponsors

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  5. 04
    University of Iowa

    University of Iowa

    Higher EducationAcademic MedicineResearch
    150H-1B approvals

    University of Iowa had 150 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. The University of Iowa is a public research university that operates a major academic medical center alongside its colleges and research programs.

    Open roles by team

    • Nursing79
    • Healthcare Administration41
    • Allied Health7
    • Pharmacy2
    • Mental & Behavioral Health1
    Open roles at University of Iowa41 open
    Staff Nurse
    Iowa City, Iowa · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Pharmacist
    Iowa City, Iowa · On-site
    Apply
    Respiratory Therapist
    Iowa City, Iowa · On-site
    Apply
    PA/ARNP Hospitalist
    Iowa City, Iowa · On-site
    Apply
    Imaging Technologist
    Iowa City, Iowa · On-site
    Apply
    See all 41+ University of Iowa H-1B jobs
  6. 05
    Johns Hopkins University

    Johns Hopkins University

    Higher EducationMedical ResearchPublic Health
    145H-1B approvals

    Johns Hopkins University had 145 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Science & Research and Project & Program Management. Johns Hopkins University is a private research university known for its schools of medicine, public health, and engineering.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research297
    • Project & Program Management265
    • Nursing187
    • Healthcare Administration182
    • Teaching & Instruction65

    +726 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Johns Hopkins University467 open
    Developer
    Baltimore, Maryland · On-site
    Apply
    Nurse Practitioner
    Baltimore, Maryland · On-site
    Apply
    Laboratory Technician
    Baltimore, Maryland · On-site
    Apply
    Director of the Johns Hopkins University Press
    Baltimore, Maryland · Hybrid
    Apply
    Data Engineer II
    Baltimore, Maryland · Remote
    Apply
    See all 467+ Johns Hopkins University H-1B jobs
  7. Editor’s note

    The international office is your real point of contact

    At a university or academic medical center, H-1B petitions run through a central international scholars office, not the hiring department. That is different from a corporate employer, where HR or outside counsel handles it. Ask to be connected to that office early. Because these employers are cap-exempt, they can file as soon as your offer is finalized, so the office's timeline, not a lottery, determines your start.

  8. 06
    Columbia University

    Columbia University

    Higher EducationResearchMedical School
    145H-1B approvals

    Columbia University had 145 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Science & Research and Teaching & Instruction. Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university in New York City offering programs across medicine, law, business, and the arts and sciences.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research22
    • Teaching & Instruction18
    • Nursing12
    • Healthcare Administration9
    • Physicians & Surgeons8

    +34 roles across other teams

    Open roles at Columbia University27 open
    Assistant Director of Residence Life & Housing
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Alumni Programs Coordinator
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Director of Marketing & Communications
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Department Administrator
    New York, New York · On-site
    Apply
    Loan Analyst
    Manhattanville, New York · Hybrid
    Apply
    See all Columbia University H-1B jobs
  9. 07
    University of Florida

    University of Florida

    Higher EducationHealth CenterResearch
    144H-1B approvals

    University of Florida had 144 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Physicians & Surgeons and Nursing. The University of Florida is a public land-grant research university with a major academic health center and colleges spanning more than a dozen disciplines.

    Open roles by team

    • Physicians & Surgeons273
    • Nursing173
    • Healthcare Administration155
    • Science & Research153
    • Teaching & Instruction110

    +136 roles across other teams

    Open roles at University of Florida282 open
    Ph.D. Graduate Student
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Clinical Assistant, Associate, Or Full Professor Of Obstetrics And Gynecology Hospitalist
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant/Associate Professor
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    LECTURER
    Gainesville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    General Surgeon
    Jacksonville, Florida · On-site
    Apply
    See all 282+ University of Florida H-1B jobs
  10. See H-1B jobs from all 10 sponsors and thousands more

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  11. 08
    University of Chicago

    University of Chicago

    Higher EducationResearchMedical School
    140H-1B approvals

    University of Chicago had 140 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Science & Research and Project & Program Management. The University of Chicago is a private research university recognized for its academic programs in economics, law, medicine, and the physical and social sciences.

    Open roles by team

    • Science & Research39
    • Project & Program Management36
    • Data Science & Analytics16
    • Healthcare Administration15
    • Nursing12

    +140 roles across other teams

    Open roles at University of Chicago64 open
    Senior Software Engineer, Backend
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Senior Project Manager
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Assistant Director of Events
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Development Coordinator
    Chicago, Illinois · Hybrid
    Apply
    Clinical Trial Financial Manager
    Chicago, Illinois · On-site
    Apply
    See all 64+ University of Chicago H-1B jobs
  12. 09
    UT Southwestern Medical Center

    UT Southwestern Medical Center

    Academic MedicineBiomedical ResearchClinical Care
    123H-1B approvals

    UT Southwestern Medical Center had 123 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. UT Southwestern Medical Center is an academic medical institution in Dallas delivering patient care, biomedical research, and graduate medical education.

    Open roles by team

    • Nursing284
    • Healthcare Administration216
    • Science & Research77
    • Allied Health65
    • Physicians & Surgeons48

    +306 roles across other teams

    Open roles at UT Southwestern Medical Center279 open
    Specimen Processor
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Language Interpreter I
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Director of Health System Administration
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Lead Registered Dietitian
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    Biostatistical Consultant III
    Dallas, Texas · On-site
    Apply
    See all 279+ UT Southwestern Medical Center H-1B jobs
  13. 10
    University of Pittsburgh

    University of Pittsburgh

    Higher EducationHealth SciencesResearch
    119H-1B approvals

    University of Pittsburgh had 119 H-1B petitions approved in the last year. Its current openings concentrate in Teaching & Instruction and Physicians & Surgeons. The University of Pittsburgh is a public research university with a health sciences division that includes one of the nation's largest transplant programs.

    Open roles by team

    • Teaching & Instruction44
    • Physicians & Surgeons32
    • Science & Research25
    • Higher Education23
    • Healthcare Administration21

    +25 roles across other teams

    Open roles at University of Pittsburgh46 open
    Post Doctoral Associate
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · On-site
    Apply
    LEGAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTION LIBRARIAN
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor Orthopedic Surgery
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · On-site
    Apply
    Faculty Professor
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · On-site
    Apply
    Assistant Professor
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · On-site
    Apply
    See all 46+ University of Pittsburgh H-1B jobs

How H-1B sponsorship works at a university

H-1B sponsorship starts with the employer, not the candidate. Once you have a job offer, the employer's immigration counsel files a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor, certifying that the role is a specialty occupation and that the offered wage meets the prevailing wage for the location. After the LCA is certified, the employer files Form I-129 with USCIS. Universities and academic medical centers are cap-exempt, so they can file H-1B petitions at any time of year and skip the annual lottery entirely. For a candidate that removes the single biggest source of H-1B uncertainty: you do not need to win a lottery to be sponsored, only to clear the institution's own timeline.

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Universities & Academic Medical Centers Sponsoring H-1B: Frequently Asked Questions

Which universities and academic medical centers sponsor the most H-1B visas?

Mayo Clinic sponsors the most, with 255 H-1B approvals in the last year, followed by University of Michigan (248) and University of Rochester (156). Across the 10 universities and academic medical centers on this list, Migrate Mate tracks 1,625 H-1B approvals in total, based on the latest published U.S. government disclosure data.

Who qualifies for H-1B sponsorship?

To qualify for H-1B sponsorship, you need a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation, a role that normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Your degree must correspond to the specific position, not just to a broad field. The employer files the petition on your behalf; you cannot self-petition. Universities and academic medical centers are cap-exempt sponsors, so there is no lottery requirement for their candidates.

Are universities exempt from the H-1B lottery?

Yes. Nonprofit universities and their affiliated academic medical centers are cap-exempt, so they can file H-1B petitions at any time of year and do not enter the annual lottery. For a candidate that removes the biggest source of uncertainty: you can be sponsored on the employer's timeline rather than needing to win a lottery for an autumn start.

How do I get H-1B sponsorship from a top sponsor?

Start by securing a job offer from a university or academic medical center that sponsors H-1B visas. Because these employers are cap-exempt, they can file petitions year-round without waiting for the annual lottery window. Your employer's HR or legal team then files a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor, followed by an I-129 petition with USCIS. Selection rules and costs have changed recently, so confirm current requirements directly with your employer before the process begins.