H-1B Visa Program Specialist Jobs

Program Specialist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as public policy, social work, business administration, or education. Federal agencies, nonprofits with federal contracts, and large program management firms regularly file LCAs for these roles.

Find H-1B Visa Program Specialist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs564+
Work Type79% On-site
Top LocationAustin, TX
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 564+ Program Specialist jobs

Big Brothers Big Sisters
High School Bigs Program Specialist
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Big Brothers Big Sisters
New 37m ago
High School Bigs Program Specialist
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Riverside, California
Customer Service & Support
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Human Resources
$22 - $23/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
11-50

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Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Civil Rights Specialist VI Program Coordinator
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Texas Health and Human Services Commission
New 3h ago
Civil Rights Specialist VI Program Coordinator
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Grand Prairie, Texas
Compliance & Legal
Human Resources
Project & Program Management
$5,098 - $6,701/mo
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Brandeis University
Program Specialist, Student Engagement & Leadership
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Brandeis University
New 3h ago
Program Specialist, Student Engagement & Leadership
Brandeis University
Waltham, Massachusetts
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Human Resources
Project & Program Management
$53k - $62k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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AbbVie
Senior Program Specialist - Engagement and Culture
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AbbVie
New 9h ago
Senior Program Specialist - Engagement and Culture
AbbVie
North Chicago, Illinois
Human Resources
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Content & Communications
Communications
$85k - $162k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Arizona State University
Grant and Program Specialist
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Arizona State University
Added 1d ago
Grant and Program Specialist
Arizona State University
Scottsdale, Arizona
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Project Management
Business Development
$70k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Program Specialist

Verify your degree field matches the role

USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation claims for Program Specialist positions. Pull the O*NET profile for your specific SOC code to confirm the typical education requirement is a bachelor's in a specific discipline, not any field.

Target federal contractors filing LCAs consistently

Federal contractors running government programs must file LCAs through DOL before sponsoring you. Search OFLC Wage Search by job title and state to find employers with certified LCAs for Program Specialist roles in your target area.

Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate

Filter by Program Specialist roles on Migrate Mate to see employers with documented H-1B filing history for this title. That filing history confirms they've navigated the process before and won't treat your sponsorship request as an unfamiliar ask.

Request an H-1B transfer if already sponsored

If you're currently on an H-1B, a new employer can file a portability transfer without waiting for cap selection. Confirm the new role still qualifies as specialty occupation under your existing I-129 petition's occupational category.

Clarify whether the employer is cap-exempt

Universities, government research institutions, and certain nonprofits affiliated with higher education are cap-exempt. A Program Specialist role at a qualifying institution can be filed year-round without entering the annual lottery, removing the biggest timing risk.

Get the prevailing wage tier in writing before negotiating

DOL assigns your role to a wage level (I through IV) based on job duties and experience. Ask your employer which wage level they intend to use on the LCA before you accept an offer so your actual salary meets DOL compliance requirements.

H-1B Visa Program Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Program Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?

It depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS requires the job to normally demand a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific, directly related field. A Program Specialist role that accepts any degree or relies mainly on generalist experience is more likely to receive an RFE. Job descriptions that require a specific discipline such as public health, education policy, or business administration have a stronger specialty occupation argument.

Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Program Specialist positions?

Federal contractors, state and local government program offices, large nonprofits managing federal grants, and healthcare systems with community program divisions are among the more consistent H-1B sponsors for Program Specialists. These employers file LCAs regularly because their program management work requires degreed professionals in specific fields. You can identify them by searching for LCA filings on OFLC Wage Search or browsing employer-filtered listings on Migrate Mate.

How does the H-1B prevailing wage apply to Program Specialist jobs?

DOL requires your employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for the SOC code and geographic area listed on the LCA. Program Specialist roles can fall under several SOC codes depending on program type, and each carries different wage levels. The employer selects the wage level based on your duties and experience. You can look up the applicable wage using OFLC Wage Search before your offer negotiation to verify the number your employer is required to meet.

Can a nonprofit sponsor my H-1B for a Program Specialist role?

Yes, but the rules differ by organization type. Standard nonprofits go through the same cap lottery as private employers. Nonprofits affiliated with a qualifying institution of higher education or a government research entity may qualify as cap-exempt, meaning they can file your H-1B petition any time of year. Ask the employer specifically whether they file as cap-subject or cap-exempt before assuming you'll need to wait for the April lottery.

What happens to my H-1B status if my Program Specialist role changes significantly?

A material change in job duties, location, or salary may require your employer to file an amended H-1B petition with USCIS. If the new duties shift the role out of specialty occupation territory, the amendment could trigger an RFE. Document the scope of any role change with your employer and confirm whether the amended duties still satisfy the degree-requirement standard before the change takes effect.