General Counsel Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

General Counsel positions commonly qualify for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and EB-2 visa sponsorship due to their specialized legal expertise and advanced degree requirements. Most roles require a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school plus significant legal experience, making them strong candidates for employment-based immigration petitions. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.

Find General Counsel Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs2,324+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type64% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsJobot

Showing 5 of 2,324+ General Counsel jobs

Sol Systems, LLC
General Counsel
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Sol Systems, LLC
New 21m ago
General Counsel
Sol Systems, LLC
Washington, Washington DC
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
On-Site
None

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BD
Assistant General Counsel, Commercial - Surgery
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BD
New 3h ago
Assistant General Counsel, Commercial - Surgery
BD
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Compliance & Legal
Strategy & Corporate Development
Legal Counsel
Corporate Development & M&A
$221k - $353k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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AbbVie
Associate General Counsel
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AbbVie
Added 3d ago
Associate General Counsel
AbbVie
North Chicago, Illinois
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$182k - $346k/yr
Hybrid
Doctorate
10,000+

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Eli Lilly
Associate Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Global Regulatory Legal
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Eli Lilly
Added 3d ago
Associate Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Global Regulatory Legal
Eli Lilly
Indianapolis, Indiana
Compliance & Legal
Legal Counsel
$230k - $337k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Steel Technologies LLC
Assistant General Counsel
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Steel Technologies LLC
Added 3d ago
Assistant General Counsel
Steel Technologies LLC
Louisville, Kentucky
Compliance & Legal
Strategy & Corporate Development
Project & Program Management
Legal Counsel
Corporate Development & M&A
On-Site
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

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Tips for Finding General Counsel Jobs

Emphasize specialized legal expertise

Highlight specific practice areas like securities law, corporate governance, or regulatory compliance. USCIS values specialized legal knowledge that requires advanced training beyond general business management.

Document bar admission requirements

Most General Counsel roles require active bar membership in relevant jurisdictions. Include bar admission dates and any specialized certifications that demonstrate your legal qualifications.

Focus on J.D. degree necessity

General Counsel positions typically require a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school, making them strong specialty occupation candidates. The role's legal nature supports H-1B qualification arguments.

Consider O-1 for extraordinary ability

Senior General Counsel with major legal victories, published articles, or industry recognition may qualify for O-1 visas, which offer more flexibility than H-1B caps.

Target companies with legal complexity

Regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and technology often need General Counsel for compliance matters, making them more likely to sponsor qualified international legal professionals.

Prepare for nonimmigrant intent scrutiny

General Counsel roles are senior positions that may trigger immigrant intent concerns. Be ready to explain your temporary work plans and ties to your home country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do General Counsel positions qualify for H-1B sponsorship?

Yes, General Counsel positions typically qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship because they require specialized legal knowledge and a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school. The role's legal complexity and advanced degree requirement make it a strong specialty occupation candidate under USCIS criteria.

What degree requirements do employers expect for General Counsel visa sponsorship?

Most employers require a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school plus active bar admission in relevant jurisdictions. Some positions may accept foreign law degrees with credential evaluation, but U.S. legal education is strongly preferred for regulatory compliance roles.

Can foreign lawyers get General Counsel positions with visa sponsorship?

Foreign lawyers can qualify, but typically need additional U.S. legal credentials. Many employers prefer candidates with U.S. J.D. degrees and bar admission. Foreign-qualified lawyers may need to complete LLM programs or bar examinations to meet employer requirements.

How do General Counsel roles affect green card applications?

General Counsel positions often strengthen EB-2 green card applications due to their advanced degree requirements and specialized expertise. However, the senior nature of these roles may create immigrant intent concerns that need careful handling during nonimmigrant visa renewals.

What makes General Counsel sponsorship cases challenging?

The main challenge is demonstrating that the role requires specialized legal knowledge beyond general business management. USCIS may question whether duties are primarily legal or executive. Strong job descriptions emphasizing legal analysis, regulatory compliance, and specialized legal expertise help address these concerns.

How to find General Counsel jobs with visa sponsorship?

To find General Counsel jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international legal professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on multinational corporations, tech companies, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations that commonly sponsor H-1B, O-1, and EB-2 visas for senior legal executives. These employers typically have established immigration processes for executive-level positions.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored General Counsel jobs?

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.