Software Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship

Software engineering — also referred to as software development — is one of the most actively sponsored job categories in the U.S., with the majority of positions offering H-1B sponsorship. Most roles require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, and STEM degree holders benefit from extended OPT periods while pursuing long-term sponsorship.

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Overview

Open Jobs96,882+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type77% On-site
Salary Range$128K – $184K
Top LocationAustin, TX
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 96,882+ software engineer jobs

Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
Principal Software Engineer
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Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
New 3m ago
Principal Software Engineer
Hewlett Packard Enterprise | HPE
Durham, North Carolina
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Technical Product & Program Management
Backend Engineering
Technical Program Management
$160,000/yr - $303,000/yr
Hybrid
10+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Brady Corporation
Senior Software Engineer
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Brady Corporation
New 1h ago
Senior Software Engineer
Brady Corporation
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Software Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Backend Engineering
On-Site
7+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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GRAIL
Senior Software Development Engineer in Test, Salesforce
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GRAIL
New 1h ago
Senior Software Development Engineer in Test, Salesforce
GRAIL
Menlo Park, California
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Cloud & DevOps
$136,000/yr - $180,000/yr
Hybrid
5+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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IntePros
Fullstack Software Engineer
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IntePros
New 1h ago
Fullstack Software Engineer
IntePros
Remote
Software Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Frontend Engineering
Backend Engineering
Remote (US)
4+ yrs exp.
None

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Avride
C++ Software Engineer
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Avride
New 1h ago
C++ Software Engineer
Avride
Austin, Texas
Software Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
Backend Engineering
$100,000/yr - $135,000/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
None

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Software Engineer

Target Companies with Active Sponsorship Programs

Look for companies that explicitly mention visa sponsorship in job postings or have dedicated immigration teams. Large tech companies, consulting firms, and research institutions are most likely to sponsor across multiple visa categories.

Start Your Job Search 6–9 Months Early

Visa sponsorship adds processing time to any offer. Starting your search early gives employers enough runway for interviews, offer negotiation, and legal preparation — regardless of which visa type applies to you.

Use OPT & STEM OPT to Prove Your Value

CS is STEM-eligible, giving you up to 3 years of work authorization (12 months of OPT plus a 24-month STEM extension). Employers can evaluate you on real work before committing to sponsorship.

Lead with Technical Skills, Not Visa Status

Focus on system design, algorithms, and engineering experience in interviews. Most large tech companies expect to sponsor - save visa logistics for the offer stage.

Specialize in High-Demand Areas

Distributed systems, ML infrastructure, security engineering, and platform roles tend to have stronger sponsorship demand than generic full-stack positions.

Consider Cap-Exempt Tech Roles

University research labs, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and national labs are H-1B cap-exempt - no lottery required, and you can file any time of year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What degree do I need to get sponsored as a software engineer?

A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field is the standard requirement for H-1B sponsorship. Equivalent experience can sometimes substitute (generally 3 years of progressive experience per year of missing education), but having a directly relevant degree makes the H-1B petition significantly stronger.

Can self-taught software engineers get visa sponsorship?

It's possible but more challenging. H-1B requires the position to be a specialty occupation needing a bachelor's degree, and USCIS evaluates whether the applicant has degree equivalency through a combination of education and experience. Bootcamp certificates alone don't substitute for a degree, but a strong portfolio combined with years of relevant work experience may qualify through an education equivalency evaluation.

What are H-1B approval rates like for software engineers?

Software engineering consistently has strong H-1B approval rates, and it's one of the most commonly sponsored occupations. The role clearly meets specialty occupation criteria, and employer demand remains high. The main bottleneck is the lottery - getting selected is the harder part, not getting the petition approved once filed.

Do big tech companies sponsor more than startups?

Large tech companies generally have more established sponsorship programs, dedicated immigration legal teams, and higher petition volumes. Startups can and do sponsor, but smaller companies may be less familiar with the process or more risk-averse about the costs and timelines. That said, some startups are very willing to sponsor for the right candidate - they just may need more guidance on the process.

Can I work on open-source projects or freelance while on an H-1B?

H-1B is employer-specific - you can only work for the sponsoring employer in the role described in your petition. Contributing to unpaid open-source projects is generally considered permissible since it's not compensated employment, but freelance work for pay is not allowed unless the freelance client files a separate H-1B petition for you.

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