Program Assistant Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Program assistant roles in Illinois span universities like the University of Chicago and Northwestern, nonprofits across Chicago, and state agencies in Springfield. Employers in healthcare, education, and policy regularly sponsor international candidates. Chicago's concentration of research institutions and global organizations makes it one of the stronger markets for program assistant visa sponsorship in the Midwest.
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Position Type:
Program Assistants/Special Education
Date Posted:
4/8/2026
Location:
Lincoln School, Palatine, IL
Date Available:
When Filled
Special Ed Program Assistant w/SEPA* Stipend
185 days yearly
6.5 hours per day
Monday – Friday
$16.40/hr + $2.50/hr SEPA Stipend
Excellent Benefits
Please see attached job description.
Requirement:
Applicants must hold at least ONE of the following licenses through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE):
- Paraprofessional License (PARA)
- Short Term Approval for Paraprofessionals (STA)
- Substitute License (SUB)
- Professional Educator License (PEL)
If you do not currently hold a license with ISBE, please click here in order to determine which license you are eligible for and then click here to apply for the ISBE license.
- SEPA - A stipend added to a position when there is special care required for the student. More information will be shared by the building administration.
EOE

Position Type:
Program Assistants/Special Education
Date Posted:
4/8/2026
Location:
Lincoln School, Palatine, IL
Date Available:
When Filled
Special Ed Program Assistant w/SEPA* Stipend
185 days yearly
6.5 hours per day
Monday – Friday
$16.40/hr + $2.50/hr SEPA Stipend
Excellent Benefits
Please see attached job description.
Requirement:
Applicants must hold at least ONE of the following licenses through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE):
- Paraprofessional License (PARA)
- Short Term Approval for Paraprofessionals (STA)
- Substitute License (SUB)
- Professional Educator License (PEL)
If you do not currently hold a license with ISBE, please click here in order to determine which license you are eligible for and then click here to apply for the ISBE license.
- SEPA - A stipend added to a position when there is special care required for the student. More information will be shared by the building administration.
EOE
Program Assistant Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Program Assistant Jobs in IllinoisProgram Assistant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies and organizations sponsor visas for program assistants in Illinois?
Universities are among the most consistent sponsors, with the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and University of Illinois system regularly filing H-1B petitions for program and research assistant roles. Large nonprofits, healthcare systems like Northwestern Medicine, and international organizations headquartered in Chicago also sponsor. Government contractors working with federal agencies in the state occasionally sponsor as well, particularly for policy or program coordination positions.
Which visa types are most common for program assistant roles in Illinois?
The H-1B is the most common visa for program assistant roles where the position requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as public health, social work, or international development. Some university-affiliated roles qualify for cap-exempt H-1B petitions, bypassing the annual lottery. J-1 exchange visitor visas are also common in research or academic program contexts, particularly at Illinois universities with established exchange programs.
Which cities in Illinois have the most program assistant visa sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the majority of program assistant sponsorship activity in Illinois, driven by its density of universities, hospitals, nonprofits, and corporate headquarters. Evanston sees hiring through Northwestern University. Champaign-Urbana is active for academic and research program roles tied to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Springfield has some state agency positions, though sponsorship there is less frequent than in the Chicago metropolitan area.
How to find program assistant visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, so you can search program assistant roles in Illinois without sorting through positions that don't sponsor. The platform is useful for identifying which Chicago-area nonprofits, universities, and research organizations are actively hiring international candidates. Filtering by Illinois and program assistant role type surfaces opportunities that match both your location and sponsorship needs.
Are there any Illinois-specific factors that affect program assistant visa sponsorship?
Illinois employers sponsoring H-1B workers must meet Department of Labor prevailing wage requirements for the specific occupation and geographic area, which in Chicago reflects a higher cost of living than downstate regions. University and nonprofit employers in Illinois often have in-house immigration counsel experienced with cap-exempt petitions, which can simplify the process. Candidates with degrees from Illinois institutions may also find warmer reception from in-state employers already familiar with those credential pipelines.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored program assistant jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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