Machine Learning Researcher Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Machine Learning Researcher jobs attract strong visa sponsorship from U.S. employers because the role qualifies as a specialty occupation under H-1B visa, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, or a directly related field. Many employers also sponsor EB-2 and EB-3 green cards for researchers with advanced degrees.

Find Machine Learning Researcher Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs793+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type67% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsCapital One

Showing 5 of 793+ Machine Learning Researcher jobs

ML Researcher
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Added 1d ago
ML Researcher
Apple
Cupertino, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
Data Analytics
$185k - $325k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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Machine Learning Post Doctoral Research Scientist
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Added 1w ago
Machine Learning Post Doctoral Research Scientist
Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
Milpitas, California
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$99k - $150k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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Applied Machine Learning Postdoctoral Research Fellow
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Added 1w ago
Applied Machine Learning Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, Florida
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
ML (Machine Learning)
Data Science
$73k - $102k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
5,001-10,000

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Machine Learning Researcher
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Added 2w ago
Machine Learning Researcher
CD PROJEKT RED
Remote
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
$251k/yr
Hybrid
None

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ML Applied Researcher
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Added 1mo ago
ML Applied Researcher
Akkar
San Francisco Bay Area
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Science
$200k - $250k/yr
Hybrid
Doctorate

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Tips for Finding Machine Learning Researcher Jobs

Frame your degree for specialty occupation

Your degree field must directly correspond to machine learning research duties. A computer science or statistics degree is a clean match, but a physics or mathematics degree needs supporting documentation showing the direct relationship to your specific research role.

Target employers with active LCA filings

Research labs, AI-focused tech firms, and R&D divisions at large technology companies file Labor Condition Applications regularly for ML roles. Use Migrate Mate to identify which employers have verified LCA sponsorship history for machine learning and related research positions.

Verify your prevailing wage tier before negotiating

Machine learning researchers span DOL wage levels one through four depending on seniority. Use the OFLC Wage Search to find the prevailing wage for your specific job zone and location before you receive an offer, so you can assess whether the employer's LCA is filed at the correct level.

Build a research portfolio tied to your degree field

USCIS adjudicators look for a direct nexus between your academic background and your research duties. Published papers, conference proceedings, or patent filings in your degree field strengthen the specialty occupation case your employer must make in the H-1B petition.

Ask about EB-2 NIW eligibility early in negotiations

Machine learning researchers with peer-reviewed publications or work on nationally significant AI problems may qualify for an EB-2 National Interest Waiver, which allows self-petitioning without employer sponsorship. Raise this with the hiring team during the offer stage rather than waiting until after onboarding.

Clarify STEM OPT training plans before your start date

If you're transitioning from F-1 STEM OPT, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan on Form I-983. Confirm enrollment and get the signed plan before your existing OPT expires, since gaps in authorization can disrupt research project timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Machine Learning Researcher role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?

Yes. Machine learning research requires at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a directly related field, which meets USCIS's specialty occupation definition. Employers document the degree requirement in the Labor Condition Application and I-129 petition. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree regardless of field may face additional scrutiny, so the job description should specify the relevant technical disciplines.

What visa options are available for international Machine Learning Researchers?

H-1B is the most common path, covering up to six years with employer sponsorship. Researchers with advanced degrees from U.S. universities compete in the H-1B advanced-degree pool. O*NET classifies machine learning research at a high job zone, which supports EB-2 green card filings. Researchers with nationally significant work may also qualify for an EB-1A extraordinary ability petition or an EB-2 National Interest Waiver without employer sponsorship.

How do I find employers who sponsor visas for Machine Learning Researcher roles?

Migrate Mate lists U.S. employers with verified sponsorship history for machine learning and AI research roles, searchable by location and role type. Focus your applications on employers whose research labs have filed LCAs consistently, since that signals an established immigration process rather than a one-off hire.

Does a master's degree improve my H-1B chances as a Machine Learning Researcher?

A U.S. master's degree qualifies you for the H-1B advanced-degree pool, which has a separate 20,000-cap allocation on top of the 65,000 regular cap. Because machine learning research roles typically require graduate-level training, a master's or PhD also strengthens the specialty occupation argument and positions you for EB-2 green card sponsorship from day one.

Can a Machine Learning Researcher self-petition for a green card?

Yes, through two routes. An EB-2 National Interest Waiver lets you self-petition if your research benefits the U.S. national interest and you have an advanced degree. An EB-1A extraordinary ability petition works if you have sustained recognition through publications, citations, or awards. Both routes bypass the PERM labor certification process, which matters if your employer is unwilling to sponsor or if you want portability between research positions.

What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Machine Learning Researcher 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.