How do you find companies that actually sponsor H-1B? Many people rely on lists scraped from job sites, some of which are old or wrong. There is a better starting point: USCIS publishes its own data, for free.
As of October 31, 2026, this guide explains how to use the H-1B Employer Data Hub, what the numbers mean, what they cannot tell you, and how to turn them into a practical search.
- The USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub includes data from fiscal year 2009 through FY 2026, quarter 4.
- You can search by fiscal year, employer name, city, state, ZIP code and NAICS code.
- Counts reflect USCIS's first decision; appeals and revocations are excluded.
- Pending petitions are not included in the data.
- The same employer can appear in several rows, and names can contain errors.
- Past filings do not show that a company will sponsor you now.
What is the H-1B Employer Data Hub?
A public USCIS database of employers that filed H-1B petitions. USCIS says the hub "includes data from fiscal year 2009 through fiscal year 2026 (quarter 4) on employers who have submitted petitions to employ H-1B nonimmigrant workers." Data "can be queried by fiscal year, employer name, city, state, zip code, and NAICS code" (USCIS, H-1B Employer Data Hub).
You can also export it. "You can download annual and query-specific data in Excel or .csv format," USCIS says. That is useful if you want to sort a city's employers by volume. To get complete files, it tells you to click on "Crosstab View," select your filters, and choose "Download to Excel."
USCIS launched the tool "to provide information on employers petitioning for H-1B workers" and says it wants to add "an additional layer of transparency to the H-1B program" (USCIS, Understanding Our H-1B Employer Data Hub).
How do you read the numbers?
By type of filing. The USCIS glossary splits approvals and denials according to the box selected on Form I-129, and each number is a count of workers (USCIS, Understanding Our H-1B Employer Data Hub). The counts are "aggregated by distinct completion fiscal year, two digit NAICS code, tax ID, state, city, and ZIP code."
| Field | What it covers |
|---|---|
| New Employment | A worker coming from abroad, or starting from a different classification |
| Change of Employer | A worker moving from another employer in the same classification |
| Continuation | An extension with the same employer and no change to the job |
| New Concurrent | A second employer, alongside the worker's current job |
| Change with Same Employer | A non-material change, such as a new job title |
| Amended | A material change to the terms, or a substitution |
New Employment and Change of Employer approvals are usually the most useful fields for job hunters. They suggest the employer is bringing on H-1B workers, not only renewing existing ones. Read the glossary on the USCIS page for the exact definitions. One passage on that page still uses the broader terms initial and continuing, so older guides may use those labels.
What are the limits of the data?
Several, and USCIS says so itself.
- First decisions only. "The approval and denial data in the data hub reflects USCIS' first decision. Subsequent decisions, such as on an appeal or revocation, are excluded."
- No pending cases. "The data does not include petitions that are pending adjudication when USCIS generates the data."
- Possible errors. "Data entry and petitioner errors may result in a missing and/or erroneous employer name, tax ID, state, city, or ZIP code in our electronic systems."
- Duplicates. "One employer with multiple addresses in a given fiscal year will have multiple rows in the data."
- Timing. USCIS anticipates updating the hub each quarter, so the most recent months take time to appear.
It also does not show job titles, salaries or whether the employer sponsors a role like yours. A strong history is a signal, not a promise. And it says nothing about a company's plans given new H-1B fees and rules. Our guide to USCIS fees shows why some companies may have changed their approach.
How do you turn the hub into a search?
Use a simple sequence.
- Pick a recent year, and filter by your state or metro. Older years show you history, but recent years better reflect current behavior.
- Filter by industry using the NAICS code. For example, professional services or finance.
- Sort by New Employment and Change of Employer approvals. Note both large filers and mid-sized companies, since the biggest names attract the most applicants.
- Check the trend. A company that filed in several recent years is a better lead than one that filed once.
- Look at the current careers page, to see whether it has open roles in your field.
- Ask directly at the right time. Many recruiters will say whether a role can support sponsorship.
The Department of Labor's OFLC also publishes performance data, including labor condition application disclosure files. These can show job titles and wage levels. They are separate from the hub, and an LCA alone does not show that a petition was filed.
What should you ask a company?
Ask practical questions once there is real interest.
- Does this role support H-1B sponsorship, and who handles it?
- Is the company cap-exempt, or would I need the lottery?
- What wage level would the role likely be? Since FY 2027, it can affect your selection odds.
- Does the company start green card processing, and when?
- Are there any limits related to current fee rules for workers abroad?
Our guide to the weighted H-1B lottery explains why wage level matters, and our guide to the $100,000 fee covers who may be affected if you are outside the United States.
What about employers that do not need the lottery?
They are worth a separate search. USCIS says that "petitions filed by U.S. institutions of higher education are cap exempt," and there are related nonprofits and research organizations too. Filter the hub by education or research codes as a starting point, and read our guide to cap-exempt employers. A job at one of these employers may be worth considering if the lottery is your main obstacle, but moving later to a for-profit employer can bring you back under the cap, as USCIS warns: "your new employer's H-1B petition will be subject to" the cap in some cases.
Are paid sponsor lists worth it?
Be careful. Any list is only as good as its source, and much of it may come from the same public data. Before paying, check whether it says where its data came from and when it was updated. Avoid anyone who promises a guaranteed sponsor or asks you to pay for a job offer, and remember the wage rules bar employers from passing on certain employer costs to you.
How far back should you look?
Focus on the last two or three fiscal years. The hub goes back to fiscal year 2009, but companies change, and an employer that filed heavily ten years ago may have changed its approach since then. One simple check is to compare a company's recent new employment and change of employer approvals with its older ones. A steady pattern is a better sign than one big year.
What about founders and self-sponsorship?
Some people form a company to sponsor themselves. It is possible, with limits. If you own more than 50 percent, USCIS says your first approvals are "limited to a validity period of up to 18 months," and you must perform specialty occupation duties for most of the time. Our guide to H-1B for startup founders covers it.
What this means for you
- Use the USCIS hub as your first source, not your only one.
- Prioritize recent new employment and change of employer approvals in your city and industry.
- Confirm each lead through current job postings and a direct question.
- Look at cap-exempt employers separately.
- Be wary of paid lists and anyone promising guaranteed sponsorship.
Where to start
If finding a sponsor has become the main obstacle, a self-petition may be another route. Our free evaluation at /evaluate/ checks whether EB-1A or the NIW fits your profile, and Frank, our AI assistant at /frank, helps you build the evidence. Petitions are reviewed and filed by our partner law firm, Lai & Turner.
Sources
All checked October 31, 2026.
- USCIS, H-1B Employer Data Hub. Scope of the data; search fields; downloads.
- USCIS, Understanding Our H-1B Employer Data Hub. Limits; counts; updating.
- USCIS, H-1B Cap Season. Cap-exempt petitions.
- USCIS, H-1B Specialty Occupations. Moving from cap-exempt employment; controlling owners.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find companies that sponsor H-1B?
Start with the USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub, which lists employers that filed H-1B petitions, by year, employer name, city, state, ZIP code and industry code. Filter by your city and industry, look for recent years with new employment or change of employer approvals, and then check each company's current job postings. The hub shows history, not current hiring plans.
What does new employment approval mean in the H-1B data?
It counts workers approved on petitions marked new employment on Form I-129, such as someone coming from abroad or moving from another classification. Change of employer approvals count people moving from another employer in the same classification. Both suggest a company is hiring on H-1B. Continuation approvals are extensions for workers already at that company.
Does the H-1B data show me which jobs are sponsored?
No. The hub shows employer-level counts, not job titles or salaries. The Department of Labor publishes labor condition application disclosure data, which can give more detail about occupations and wage levels. Even then, a past filing does not mean a specific role is open to sponsorship. Ask the recruiter directly once you are in the process.
Do small companies sponsor H-1B?
Yes. The hub lists employers of many sizes, and the fee schedule gives small employers lower I-129 and ACWIA fees, which shows the program is open to them. Smaller sponsors may not be as familiar with the process, so it helps to know how the steps work and to ask them who will handle the filing.
Is there a list of companies that don't need the H-1B lottery?
There is no single official list of every employer, but USCIS says cap-exempt employers include U.S. institutions of higher education, and our guide covers related nonprofits and research organizations. Filter the hub by those employers or by education and research industry codes as a starting point, then confirm each employer's cap-exempt status with its international office.
Green Card Guide AI is not a law firm and this article is not legal advice. It describes evidence-building strategy in general terms; your attorney determines what belongs in your petition and how it's argued.
