H-1B Visa Financial Advisor Jobs
Financial Advisor roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Large RIA firms, wirehouses, and wealth management divisions at major banks are among the most active H-1B sponsors in this occupation, with annual cap filings that reflect consistent demand for credentialed candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment advice and guidance.
Merrill’s Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America.
Merrill is committed to an in-office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development. Our approach includes clear in-office expectations, while providing an appropriate level of flexibility based on role-specific responsibilities and business needs.
At Merrill, we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value the unique perspectives in our thoughts, business, and within our employees and clients. Our Wealth Management team represents an array of different skills and experiences that individuals bring from all backgrounds and careers; whether gained through military service, community college education, or a wide range of work and life experiences. These journeys foster resilience, leadership and innovation, strengthening our workforce and positively impact the communities we serve.
ROLE SPECIFICS
This job is responsible for working with high-net worth clients in a Merrill branch with annual revenues of $100k-$5mm, identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing investment goals, and preparing investment recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. Key responsibilities include leveraging technology to achieve business growth goals, profiling activities to determine a client's investor profile and financial resource objectives, building a sustainable book of business and providing opportunities for advisors to pursue a career within the bank.
This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act requirements, all employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Since this position requires SAFE Act registration, employees are required to register and to submit to the required SAFE Act background check and registration process. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Responsibilities
- Learns how to provide tailored and personalized advice to clients through reviews and presentations, including partnering with management to assess financial goals and recommending investment advisory strategies
- Understands client solutions that are best suited for their financial needs, such as core Banking, and Investment and Life Priority™ solutions
- Shadows Financial Advisor teams to build their network by sharing relevant market developments and discussing new products (as appropriate) in an effort to promote portfolio growth
- Leverages available resources and technologies to optimize the customer experience and serve the bank's customers with operational excellence and accuracy
- Participates in on-going training focused on how to develop a book of business to meet and exceed pre-defined financial targets and determine how to progress to the next phase as an advisor
- Builds relationships with internal service providers based on client needs and asset thresholds
- Manages risk proactively in every aspect of business, product, and service transaction leveraging available tools
THE ADVISOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (ADP) JOURNEY
During this stage of your journey, the Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor (MFSA) will help provide you with the necessary training and guidance through a defined path to become a successful and independent financial advisor. You will have the opportunity to work with both affluent and high net worth clients, identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing investment goals, and preparing investment recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. In this role you will develop the relationship management skills necessary to operate in an Elite Growth Practice (EGP). From marketing yourself to managing your own practice, we’ll prepare you with everything you need as you develop within your role. The MFSA role provides experienced advisors the opportunity to pursue a career within Merrill Wealth Management. Once you have honed your skills and demonstrated success as a MFSA, you typically will progress into the next stage of training. Located in a Merrill branch.
WE’LL HELP YOU:
- Get training and one-on-one mentorship from managers who are invested in your success. You’ll enroll in our Academy to develop as an advisor; the potential for growth is yours!
- Build connections to grow your network and business.
- Starting at a Merrill branch, you’ll interact with Merrill financial advisors, institutional retirement participants and higher net worth clients.
- Deliver advice through client reviews/presentations with confidence, including reviews of financial goals, and recommend investment advisory strategies to help clients achieve their financial goals.
- Learn about the full suite of financial solutions.
- Connect clients to solutions that are in their best interest, such as core Banking, Investment & Life Priority™ solutions, through Bank of America and Merrill to meet their financial needs.
AS A MERRILL FSA, YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO:
- A strong referral network from across the business to increase opportunities for affluent and high net worth client acquisition and provide access to partners who are specialists in their field.
- Marketing strategies to reach wider audiences with greater appeal.
- Ongoing professional development to deepen your skills and optimize your practice as the industry evolves.
- Potential opportunities for professional growth.
- Leadership opportunities, including leading client and conference seminars.
WE’RE A CULTURE THAT:
- Is committed to building a workplace where every employee is welcomed and given the support and resources to build and advance their careers.
- Along with taking care of our clients, we want to be a great place for people to work, and we strive to create an environment where all employees have the opportunity to achieve their goals.
- Believes diversity makes us stronger so we can reflect, connect to and meet the diverse needs of our clients around the world.
- Provides continuous training and developmental opportunities to help employees achieve their goals, whatever their background or experience.
- Is committed to advancing our tools, technology and ways of working. We always put our clients first to meet their evolving needs.
- Believes in responsible growth and is dedicated to supporting communities around the world by connecting them to the lending, investing and giving they need to remain vibrant and vital.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently holds FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE)
- 4+ years of progressive professional and/or military experience
- 2+ years of experience in the investments industry
- Ability to obtain Series 7 and 66 licenses within allotted program time
- Is a self-starter who efficiently manages time and capacity
- Sets and accomplishes goals, achieving whatever one sets their mind to
- Builds and nurtures strong relationships
- Collaborates effectively with others to get things done
- Communicates effectively and confidently and is comfortable engaging all clients
- Manages goals, navigates complexity, prioritizes tasks and executes in a fast-paced environment
- Likes to learn, adapts to new information and seeks the right solutions for clients
- Is thorough and thoughtful in incorporating relevant regulatory due diligence into daily activities and long-term strategies for clients
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working in the financial service industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded
- Strong computer skills and the ability to multitask in a demanding environment
- Bachelor's Degree, preferably in business-related field
- Proven ability to partner and promote lead generation
- Experience balancing investment management, sales activities and new client development
- Achieved additional professional designations such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and/or Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC)
- Obtained insurance licenses
SKILLS
- Account Management
- Client Investments Management
- Client Management
- Client Solutions Advisory
- Relationship Building
- Advisory
- Business Development
- Fraud Management
- Pipeline Management
- Portfolio Management
- Client Experience Branding
- Issue Management
- Prospecting
- Referral Identification
- Sales Performance Management
SHIFT
1st shift (United States of America)
HOURS PER WEEK:
40
INTRODUCTION
Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment advice and guidance.
Merrill’s Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America.
Merrill is committed to an in-office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development. Our approach includes clear in-office expectations, while providing an appropriate level of flexibility based on role-specific responsibilities and business needs.
At Merrill, we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value the unique perspectives in our thoughts, business, and within our employees and clients. Our Wealth Management team represents an array of different skills and experiences that individuals bring from all backgrounds and careers; whether gained through military service, community college education, or a wide range of work and life experiences. These journeys foster resilience, leadership and innovation, strengthening our workforce and positively impact the communities we serve.
ROLE SPECIFICS
This job is responsible for working with high-net worth clients in a Merrill branch with annual revenues of $100k-$5mm, identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing investment goals, and preparing investment recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. Key responsibilities include leveraging technology to achieve business growth goals, profiling activities to determine a client's investor profile and financial resource objectives, building a sustainable book of business and providing opportunities for advisors to pursue a career within the bank.
This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act requirements, all employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Since this position requires SAFE Act registration, employees are required to register and to submit to the required SAFE Act background check and registration process. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Responsibilities
- Learns how to provide tailored and personalized advice to clients through reviews and presentations, including partnering with management to assess financial goals and recommending investment advisory strategies
- Understands client solutions that are best suited for their financial needs, such as core Banking, and Investment and Life Priority™ solutions
- Shadows Financial Advisor teams to build their network by sharing relevant market developments and discussing new products (as appropriate) in an effort to promote portfolio growth
- Leverages available resources and technologies to optimize the customer experience and serve the bank's customers with operational excellence and accuracy
- Participates in on-going training focused on how to develop a book of business to meet and exceed pre-defined financial targets and determine how to progress to the next phase as an advisor
- Builds relationships with internal service providers based on client needs and asset thresholds
- Manages risk proactively in every aspect of business, product, and service transaction leveraging available tools
THE ADVISOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (ADP) JOURNEY
During this stage of your journey, the Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor (MFSA) will help provide you with the necessary training and guidance through a defined path to become a successful and independent financial advisor. You will have the opportunity to work with both affluent and high net worth clients, identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing investment goals, and preparing investment recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. In this role you will develop the relationship management skills necessary to operate in an Elite Growth Practice (EGP). From marketing yourself to managing your own practice, we’ll prepare you with everything you need as you develop within your role. The MFSA role provides experienced advisors the opportunity to pursue a career within Merrill Wealth Management. Once you have honed your skills and demonstrated success as a MFSA, you typically will progress into the next stage of training. Located in a Merrill branch.
WE’LL HELP YOU:
- Get training and one-on-one mentorship from managers who are invested in your success. You’ll enroll in our Academy to develop as an advisor; the potential for growth is yours!
- Build connections to grow your network and business.
- Starting at a Merrill branch, you’ll interact with Merrill financial advisors, institutional retirement participants and higher net worth clients.
- Deliver advice through client reviews/presentations with confidence, including reviews of financial goals, and recommend investment advisory strategies to help clients achieve their financial goals.
- Learn about the full suite of financial solutions.
- Connect clients to solutions that are in their best interest, such as core Banking, Investment & Life Priority™ solutions, through Bank of America and Merrill to meet their financial needs.
AS A MERRILL FSA, YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO:
- A strong referral network from across the business to increase opportunities for affluent and high net worth client acquisition and provide access to partners who are specialists in their field.
- Marketing strategies to reach wider audiences with greater appeal.
- Ongoing professional development to deepen your skills and optimize your practice as the industry evolves.
- Potential opportunities for professional growth.
- Leadership opportunities, including leading client and conference seminars.
WE’RE A CULTURE THAT:
- Is committed to building a workplace where every employee is welcomed and given the support and resources to build and advance their careers.
- Along with taking care of our clients, we want to be a great place for people to work, and we strive to create an environment where all employees have the opportunity to achieve their goals.
- Believes diversity makes us stronger so we can reflect, connect to and meet the diverse needs of our clients around the world.
- Provides continuous training and developmental opportunities to help employees achieve their goals, whatever their background or experience.
- Is committed to advancing our tools, technology and ways of working. We always put our clients first to meet their evolving needs.
- Believes in responsible growth and is dedicated to supporting communities around the world by connecting them to the lending, investing and giving they need to remain vibrant and vital.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently holds FINRA Securities Industry Essentials (SIE)
- 4+ years of progressive professional and/or military experience
- 2+ years of experience in the investments industry
- Ability to obtain Series 7 and 66 licenses within allotted program time
- Is a self-starter who efficiently manages time and capacity
- Sets and accomplishes goals, achieving whatever one sets their mind to
- Builds and nurtures strong relationships
- Collaborates effectively with others to get things done
- Communicates effectively and confidently and is comfortable engaging all clients
- Manages goals, navigates complexity, prioritizes tasks and executes in a fast-paced environment
- Likes to learn, adapts to new information and seeks the right solutions for clients
- Is thorough and thoughtful in incorporating relevant regulatory due diligence into daily activities and long-term strategies for clients
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working in the financial service industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded
- Strong computer skills and the ability to multitask in a demanding environment
- Bachelor's Degree, preferably in business-related field
- Proven ability to partner and promote lead generation
- Experience balancing investment management, sales activities and new client development
- Achieved additional professional designations such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and/or Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC)
- Obtained insurance licenses
SKILLS
- Account Management
- Client Investments Management
- Client Management
- Client Solutions Advisory
- Relationship Building
- Advisory
- Business Development
- Fraud Management
- Pipeline Management
- Portfolio Management
- Client Experience Branding
- Issue Management
- Prospecting
- Referral Identification
- Sales Performance Management
SHIFT
1st shift (United States of America)
HOURS PER WEEK:
40
See all 552+ H-1B Visa Financial Advisor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Financial Advisor
Verify your degree aligns with the role
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to the Financial Advisor position. A finance, economics, or accounting degree strengthens your petition. A general business degree may draw an RFE if the employer can't document why that specific field is required.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Financial Advisor roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for this occupation. LCA history signals an employer already understands prevailing wage requirements and the H-1B filing timeline, which reduces friction after an offer.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating
Your offered salary must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your job title, level, and metro area. Run the OFLC Wage Search before salary discussions so you know the floor. Accepting below prevailing wage invalidates the LCA and stalls your petition.
Clarify licensing obligations with your employer
Many Financial Advisor roles require FINRA Series 7 or 66 licenses. Confirm whether your employer expects you to sit exams before or after your H-1B is approved, since exam eligibility and sponsorship timelines don't always align.
Ask about cap-exempt filing options early
If a potential employer is a nonprofit, university, or government research organization, they may qualify for cap-exempt H-1B filing, meaning no lottery and year-round filing. Wealth management arms of universities or foundations sometimes fall under this category.
Use O*NET to document specialty occupation
The O*NET profile for Financial Advisors lists the degree requirements and knowledge domains USCIS reviews when assessing specialty occupation. Your employer's attorney will use this in the petition. Review it so you can speak to how your role maps to those criteria.
H-1B Visa Financial Advisor: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Financial Advisor role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position genuinely requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as finance, economics, or accounting. Roles where any bachelor's degree is acceptable regardless of field are harder to defend as specialty occupations. Your employer needs to document in the LCA and I-129 petition that the degree requirement is tied to the actual duties of the job.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Financial Advisors?
Wirehouses, regional broker-dealers, registered investment advisors, private banks, and the wealth management divisions of large commercial banks are the most active sponsors. Smaller independent advisory firms sponsor less often because the legal and filing costs are harder to absorb. Use Migrate Mate to identify employers with verified LCA filing history for this specific occupation before targeting your applications.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement affect Financial Advisor H-1B petitions?
The DOL sets four wage levels for each occupation by metro area. Your employer must certify on the LCA that your offered salary meets at least the Level 1 wage for your location and job title. Financial Advisor prevailing wages vary significantly between cities, so a salary that meets the threshold in one metro may fall short in another. Check the OFLC Wage Search for the specific figures before your employer files.
Do FINRA licenses affect H-1B eligibility or timing for Financial Advisors?
FINRA licenses like the Series 7 or Series 66 don't affect H-1B eligibility directly, but they can create practical timeline conflicts. Some employers won't let you work in a client-facing capacity until you're licensed, while the H-1B petition process takes months. Clarify with your employer whether you can complete licensing exams while in status on OPT or before your H-1B start date, and confirm the sequencing in writing before accepting an offer.
Is it possible to change employers as a Financial Advisor on H-1B?
Yes. Under AC21 portability, you can transfer to a new H-1B employer once your petition has been pending for 180 days or more, provided the new role is in the same or similar occupational classification. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before your current status ends. Because Financial Advisor duties vary between employers, document that the new role still meets specialty occupation standards to reduce RFE risk.