H-1B Visa Social Worker Jobs

Social worker roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in social work or a closely related field. Many hospital systems, nonprofits, and government contractors sponsor H-1B workers in clinical, school, and community-based settings. State licensure requirements add a credential layer most other H-1B roles don't face.

Find H-1B Visa Social Worker Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs1,983+
Work Type85% On-site
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsLifeStance Health

Showing 5 of 1,983+ Social Worker jobs

Essentia Health
Social Worker
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Essentia Health
New 1h ago
Social Worker
Essentia Health
Duluth, Minnesota
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Fairview Health Services
Acute Social Worker
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Fairview Health Services
New 1h ago
Acute Social Worker
Fairview Health Services
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$33 - $47/hr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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South Central Regional Medical Center
Medical Social Worker
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South Central Regional Medical Center
New 1h ago
Medical Social Worker
South Central Regional Medical Center
Laurel, Mississippi
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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University of Maryland Medical System
Clinical Social Worker I
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University of Maryland Medical System
New 1h ago
Clinical Social Worker I
University of Maryland Medical System
Baltimore, Maryland
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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The University of Michigan
Social Worker MSW
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The University of Michigan
New 3h ago
Social Worker MSW
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$70k - $101k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Social Worker

Secure state licensure before your job search

Most H-1B social worker petitions require proof of state licensure or eligibility. Get your LMSW or LCSW application in early, processing delays in your state can hold up the employer's I-129 filing and push your start date past the cap deadline.

Target employers with LCA filing history

Use the OFLC Wage Search to filter Labor Condition Application filings by SOC code 21-1020 series. Hospital networks, child welfare agencies, and VA contractors file consistently. Employers with repeated filings are already familiar with the H-1B process for social work roles specifically.

Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate

Migrate Mate surfaces employers with confirmed H-1B filing history for social work occupations. Filter by role type and location to find organizations actively sponsoring, not just those open to it in theory.

Clarify the degree-equivalency argument upfront

If your degree is from outside the U.S., your employer's attorney will need a credential evaluation confirming it's equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's in social work. Get a NACES-member evaluation done before offer stage to avoid delays when USCIS issues an RFE on educational requirements.

Ask how the employer handles licensure-portability gaps

If you're moving states for a new role, your existing license doesn't automatically transfer. Ask whether the employer will file the I-129 before your new state license clears, or whether they'll hold the petition. Some agencies have HR workflows for this; many don't.

Confirm the employer files cap-subject H-1B petitions

Nonprofit social service agencies and government-affiliated organizations may qualify as cap-exempt employers, which changes your filing timeline entirely. USCIS defines cap-exempt status narrowly, so confirm in writing whether the employer intends to file cap-subject or cap-exempt before you plan around the April lottery window.

H-1B Visa Social Worker: Frequently Asked Questions

Does social work qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?

Yes. Social work qualifies as a specialty occupation when the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in social work or a directly related field. USCIS looks at whether the position normally requires a specific degree for entry. Clinical and licensed social worker roles typically meet this standard. General case aide or paraprofessional positions may not, so job title and duties matter significantly.

How does state licensure affect H-1B sponsorship for social workers?

State licensure is a practical prerequisite for most H-1B social worker petitions, even though USCIS doesn't require it to approve the petition itself. Employers typically won't file until you're licensed or have a clear path to licensure in that state. If you're changing states, you'll need to start the reciprocity or endorsement process early, as delays can affect your petition timeline and employment start date.

Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for social workers?

Hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, Veterans Affairs facilities, child welfare agencies, and large nonprofit behavioral health organizations are among the most active H-1B sponsors for social work roles. Government contractors operating social service programs also file regularly. You can find employers with verified H-1B filing history for social work occupations on Migrate Mate, filtered by location and role type.

Can a nonprofit social work employer file a cap-exempt H-1B petition?

Some can. USCIS grants cap-exempt status to qualifying nonprofit organizations affiliated with institutions of higher education, as well as certain government research organizations. Not all nonprofit social service agencies qualify. The affiliation test is specific, so ask the employer's immigration counsel to confirm cap-exempt eligibility before you plan around any filing window. Getting this wrong affects your entire start-date timeline.

What happens to my H-1B status if I switch social work employers?

You'll need a new H-1B petition filed by the new employer before you start working there. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin work with the new employer once they file the I-129, as long as your current H-1B is valid and you've maintained status. The new employer must also file a fresh Labor Condition Application with DOL certifying the prevailing wage for your role and location.