H-1B Visa Research Intern Jobs

Research Intern roles can qualify for H-1B sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field, such as biology, computer science, or engineering. Many universities, federal contractors, and R&D-focused companies file H-1B petitions for research staff, including interns, making this a viable path for F-1 students approaching OPT expiration.

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Overview

Open Jobs236+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type91% On-site
Median Salary$90K
Top LocationMiami, FL
Most JobsFlorida International University

Showing 5 of 236+ Research Intern jobs

FirstService Residential
Sales Research Intern
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FirstService Residential
Added 2w ago
Sales Research Intern
FirstService Residential
Bethesda, Maryland
Business Operations
Business Analysis
Sales
$18/hr
Remote (US)
None
10,000+

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Zuora
UI/UX Research Intern
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Zuora
Added 2w ago
UI/UX Research Intern
Zuora
Foster City, California
Product Management
Creative & Design
UI/UX Design
$30/hr
Hybrid
Master's

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The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence
Research Internship, Robotics
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The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence
Added 1w ago
Research Internship, Robotics
The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence
Seattle, Washington
Research & Academia
Laboratory Research
Specialized Engineering
Robotics Engineering
$94,320/yr - $140,000/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Imc Americas
Hardware Machine Learning PhD Research Internship
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Imc Americas
Added 2w ago
Hardware Machine Learning PhD Research Internship
Imc Americas
Chicago, Illinois
Software Engineering
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Embedded Systems Engineering
$468,000 - $468,000/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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The Ohio State University
Physician OR Clinical Researcher - Internal Medicine Dept, Palliative Care Division (Open Rank/Track Faculty)
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The Ohio State University
Added 1mo ago
Physician OR Clinical Researcher - Internal Medicine Dept, Palliative Care Division (Open Rank/Track Faculty)
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Nursing
Medical Specialists
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Physicians
Clinical Trials
Not listed
On-Site
Doctorate

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Research Intern

Verify your role meets specialty occupation

Pull the O*NET profile for your specific research title and confirm it lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry requirement. Internships framed as "research assistant" or "lab technician" can fail H-1B adjudication if the degree requirement isn't explicit in the job description.

Target employers with cap-exempt status

Universities, affiliated research hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations attached to universities are cap-exempt H-1B filers. You can apply any time of year without waiting for the April lottery window, which is a practical advantage for research internship timelines.

Search LCA filings filtered by research roles

Use Migrate Mate to filter verified H-1B Labor Condition Application filings by research-related SOC codes. This surfaces employers who have actually sponsored roles like yours, not just companies that claim to be open to sponsorship.

Ask employers about concurrent H-1B filing

If you're on OPT and your internship converts to a full-time research role, confirm whether the employer will file a cap-subject H-1B in April for an October 1 start. Missing that filing window while on a short-term internship is a common authorization gap.

Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer

Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your occupational category and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I or Level II wage for your SOC code before your offer conversation.

Document academic credentials before the petition

USCIS frequently issues Requests for Evidence on research intern petitions where the degree field doesn't obviously match the role title. Have a credential evaluation and a letter from your academic adviser ready before your employer files Form I-129.

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Research Intern H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

Can a research intern position qualify for H-1B sponsorship?

Yes, if the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field directly related to the research area. The key is that the position itself must meet the specialty occupation definition. USCIS evaluates the job duties and degree requirement, not just the intern title, so a well-documented role description is critical for approval.

Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for research interns?

Universities, national laboratories, federally funded research centers, pharmaceutical companies, and technology firms with active R&D divisions are the most common H-1B sponsors for research roles. Cap-exempt employers like universities and affiliated nonprofits can file outside the annual lottery, which makes timing more flexible for internship-to-sponsorship transitions. Browse verified H-1B filers on Migrate Mate to identify which employers have filed for research-related roles in your field.

Does completing a research internship on OPT help with H-1B sponsorship?

It creates a direct path if the employer converts your internship to a full-time role and files an H-1B petition in the April registration window. Your time on OPT doesn't count toward your H-1B status, but it gives the employer evidence that you can perform the specialty occupation duties, which strengthens the petition if USCIS issues a Request for Evidence.

What happens if my research internship title doesn't match my degree field?

USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence questioning whether your degree qualifies you for the specific research role. A credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized agency and a letter from your thesis adviser or department head explaining the connection between your degree and the research duties are the two most effective responses to that kind of challenge.

Is the H-1B cap a problem for research intern sponsorship?

Only if your employer is a private company subject to the annual 85,000-slot cap and the lottery. Universities, affiliated research institutions, and nonprofit research organizations are cap-exempt and can file H-1B petitions at any point in the year. If your employer is cap-subject, timing your internship so the petition can be filed during the April registration period is the practical workaround.

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