Editorial · plain-language guides
H-1B Visa Guides
Plain-language explainers built on the same Department of Labor LCA data that powers every employer, state, and occupation page, so the figures reconcile across the site.
- 7
- In-depth guides
- 1.88M
- Petitions referenced
- FY23–26
- Data coverage
Understanding H-1B Visa Data
What LCA filings reveal about employer sponsorship patterns, how the H-1B process works, and what the data means for job seekers.
Top H-1B Employers in America
Which companies sponsor the most H-1B workers, how sponsorship patterns differ by industry, and what it tells you about the labor market.
LCA Wage Levels Explained
What prevailing wage levels I through IV mean, how the DOL determines them, and why wage levels matter for H-1B workers and employers.
H-1B Visa Process Explained
Step-by-step guide to H-1B sponsorship: LCA filing through work authorization, timelines, costs, and employer obligations.
Top H-1B Sponsors by Salary
Which companies pay H-1B workers the most based on DOL LCA data, quant firms, large tech, and how to research employer wages.
Using H-1B Salary Data for Negotiation
How to use LCA records to benchmark salaries, what prevailing wages mean, and the practical limits of this data for compensation research.
H-1B Geographic Trends
Where H-1B sponsors are concentrated, which metros are growing fastest, and what geographic filing patterns reveal about the labor market.
Methodology: How These Guides Are Written
PlainVisa guides are authored explanatory content. Every statistic cited in a guide (petition counts, employer rankings, wage figures) is pulled directly from the same Department of Labor LCA disclosure files that power the employer, state, and occupation pages, so figures reconcile across the site. Guides are dated and updated when DOL releases new quarterly data or when immigration regulations change.
Legal caveat. Guides are informational, not legal advice. H-1B sponsorship depends on individual case facts; readers should consult a licensed immigration attorney for guidance on their specific situation.
Sources cited in guides. Primary sources include the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification (LCA disclosure data), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (I-129 and I-140 regulations, Policy Manual), the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs (visa wait times, FAM), and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Standard Occupational Classification).
Sources: DOL OFLC Performance Data, USCIS Policy Manual, BLS SOC system.
For the complete data methodology, see our methodology page.